1 John 1:6
Verse
Context
Walking in the Light
5And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.6If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If we say that we have fellowship - Having fellowship, κοινωνια, communion, with God, necessarily implies a partaking of the Divine nature. Now if a man profess to have such communion, and walk in darkness - live an irreligious and sinful life, he lies, in the profession which he makes, and does not the truth - does not walk according to the directions of the Gospel, on the grace of which he holds his relation to God, and his communion with him. The Gnostics, against whose errors it is supposed this epistle was written, were great pretenders to knowledge, to the highest degrees of the Divine illumination, and the nearest communion with the fountain of holiness, while their manners were excessively corrupt.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
say--profess. have fellowship with him-- (Jo1 1:3). The essence of the Christian life. walk--in inward and outward action, whithersoever we turn ourselves [BENGEL]. in darkness--Greek, "in the darkness"; opposed to "the light" (compare Jo1 2:8, Jo1 2:11). lie-- (Jo1 2:4). do not--in practice, whatever we say. the truth-- (Eph 4:21; Joh 3:21).
John Gill Bible Commentary
If we say that we have fellowship with him,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "for if we say": that is, if any profess to be partakers of the divine nature, to be like unto God, and to have communion with him, to have the light of his countenance, and the discoveries of his love: and walk in darkness; in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief, or are in a state of unregeneracy and blindness; whose understandings are darkened, and they know not God in Christ, nor have any true sight and sense of themselves, their sin and danger; and are ignorant of Christ and his righteousness, and the way of salvation by him; and are strangers to the Spirit of God, and the work of his grace; and are unacquainted with the truths of the Gospel; and not only so, but go on in darkness more and more; prefer it to the light, love it, and the works of it; have fellowship with them, and choose them; take pleasure in the ways of sin and wickedness, and continue, and walk on in them; if such persons pretend to fellowship with God, they are liars: we lie; it cannot be, it is a contradiction, the thing is impossible and impracticable; what communion hath light with darkness? or what fellowship can the throne of iniquity, or those in whom sin reigns, have with God? for God is light, and were they partakers of him, or like unto him, or had communion with him, they would consequently be in the light, and not in darkness, and much less walk in it; wherefore they are liars, and do not the truth: they do not say the truth, nor act according to it; they do not act uprightly or sincerely, but are hypocrites, and pretend to that which they have not; and if they did the truth, they would come to the light, and not walk in darkness; see Joh 3:21.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:6 This is the first of several instances in which John challenges the claims of the Gnostics, who had broken away from the apostolic fellowship and were thus living in spiritual darkness. They claimed to have fellowship with God but did not express his character, which is light. Jesus had warned the Jewish leaders of his day not to let the light they thought they had be darkness (Matt 6:23)—their religious beliefs had blinded them to the spiritual illumination they could have received from Christ. In like manner, these Gnostic teachers thought they were enlightened but were actually darkened by their so-called illuminations. They claimed to have spiritual experiences from God, yet they rejected fellowship with the ones who had actually seen God in the flesh, namely, John and the other apostles.
1 John 1:6
Walking in the Light
5And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.6If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(So Great a Salvation) Loving Ones Brother
By Paris Reidhead6.6K1:10:24LoveJHN 13:342CO 13:51JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:91JN 3:11In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story about a woman who cared for a sick mother and her children. Despite being just a laundress, she shared the message of Jesus with them. The speaker emphasizes that through the power of God, even the simplest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on others. The sermon also focuses on the importance of loving one's neighbor and how being born again in Christ leads to a deep love for all people, regardless of distance or nationality. The speaker then references several scriptures from the book of 1 John to highlight the evidences of eternal life, including loving one's brother and walking in the light.
Are You Saved by Paris Reidhead
By Compilations2.2K06:36MAT 7:16JHN 15:41JN 1:61JN 2:151JN 2:24This sermon emphasizes the importance of abiding in faith and continuing to trust in the finished work of Christ. It addresses the need for genuine repentance, love for others, and obedience to God's commandments as evidence of being a child of God. The speaker highlights the danger of false professions of faith and the significance of bearing good fruit as a reflection of one's true spiritual condition.
Evidences of the New Birth
By Paris Reidhead1.8K38:19New BirthGAL 4:61JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:101JN 3:241JN 5:41JN 5:10In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the evidences of eternal life as described in the first epistle of John. He emphasizes the importance of believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, in order to have eternal life. The preacher also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in confirming our status as children of God and the need to overcome the world through faith. Additionally, he warns against loving the world and living in sin while claiming to be a child of God.
(1 John #6) Walking in the Light - Part Ii
By J. Glyn Owen1.6K45:19Following Christ1JN 1:6In this sermon, the preacher explores the nature of God as described by John in the Bible. According to John, God is light, love, and life. The preacher emphasizes that when we claim fellowship with God, we come into His light and are exposed to His judgment. This exposure reveals the sin in our hearts and minds, prompting us to recognize our need for forgiveness. The preacher highlights the importance of confessing our sins to God, as He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Denying God's Power for Revival and Victory
By Edgar Reich1.4K27:18Victory Over Sin2CH 7:14MAT 6:33MAT 7:21JHN 1:12HEB 13:81JN 1:6In this sermon, Pastor Derrick Melton addresses the issue of finding pleasure and satisfaction in worldly things rather than in Christ. He emphasizes that sin gains power through the pleasure it brings, and until we find our ultimate pleasure in Christ, we will continue to be enslaved by sin. The pastor also highlights the danger of listening to false doctrines and warns against hypocrisy, using an example of a pastor who was caught looking at a woman with lust. He concludes by sharing the story of a woman who finally understood the secret to victory in the Christian life, which is allowing Jesus to live through us.
Not Loving the World
By Paris Reidhead1.2K46:20WorldlinessMAT 24:38LUK 21:34JAS 4:41JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:91JN 2:151JN 3:141JN 4:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches everyone the same things, regardless of their cultural background or language. The speaker shares a personal experience of arriving in Sudan and being shown around by a senior missionary. The sermon then delves into the importance of the word of God in discerning between the soul and spirit. The speaker highlights the commandment to not love the world and explains that doing the will of God is evidence of love. The sermon concludes by suggesting that one's attitude towards the world can be revealed through their actions, and encourages listeners to let others discover their own attitudes rather than judging them.
Keeping His Commandments
By Paris Reidhead1.1K45:22CommandmentsROM 2:141JN 1:6In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the first evidence in the epistle, which is walking in the light. The speaker emphasizes the importance of walking in the light and pleasing God rather than indulging in darkness. They explain that walking in the light involves accepting God's forgiveness and cleansing from sin. The speaker also discusses the concept of atonement and how Jesus Christ's sacrifice justifies God in pardoning sinners. Additionally, they address the question of what to do when a child of God falls into sin.
Loving One's Brother
By Paris Reidhead90449:58Love1JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:91JN 3:111JN 4:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a neighbor to those in need. He shares a story of watching a news broadcast about an earthquake in Guatemala and how it made him realize that technology, like a television, can connect us to the suffering of others and make us their neighbors. The speaker then tells another story about a laundress who cared for a sick mother and her children, and despite not being a missionary, she led more people to Christ than any of the missionaries in the area. The sermon concludes with the speaker discussing the evidences of eternal life and how those who are dead in their sins and focused on pleasing themselves will not experience the revelation of God.
How to Ignite a Heart of Worship
By Shane Idleman85152:08JHN 1:14JHN 4:23JHN 8:32JHN 14:6JHN 18:37EPH 4:151TI 3:152TI 4:31JN 1:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of igniting a heart of worship by embracing both the spirit and truth. It highlights the struggle against the flesh to worship authentically and the necessity of surrendering to God's truth. The speaker delves into the significance of living in alignment with God's character and the essential nature of the cross and resurrection in true worship.
Following Christ Into the Harvest
By K.P. Yohannan78542:28PSA 73:25MAT 9:37PHP 1:5HEB 5:81JN 1:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of fully surrendering to Jesus, following His example, and living a life dedicated to God's will. It challenges listeners to consider their commitment to Christ, the temporary nature of life, and the call to embrace the cross. The speaker shares personal stories of sacrifice and dedication to inspire a deeper walk with Jesus and a heart for missions.
True or False
By John McGregor49129:22TruthJDG 16:171JN 1:6In this sermon, the preacher reflects on a past experience of watching a video of himself preaching in 1990. He recalls a man named Henry Donaldson who attended the meetings but was later revealed to not know the Lord. The preacher emphasizes the importance of truth and warns against lying about our fellowship with God. He also discusses the significance of communion as a place of forgiveness, truth, and cleansing for believers. The sermon concludes with a call to prayer for those who may not know Jesus and a reminder to seek forgiveness and a new life in Him.
I John - if We Confess Our Sins
By Mariano Di Gangi27121:52SinISA 55:6JER 31:34MRK 12:30JHN 1:1ACT 2:381JN 1:61JN 1:8In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of falling short of God's standard of excellence and the need to confess our sins. The apostle Paul's statement that all have sinned emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our wrongdoings. The speaker then explores the nature of God, describing Him as light with perfect knowledge and spotless purity. The sermon also mentions the pilgrimage rituals in northern India as an example of people seeking to wash away their sins. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the personal experience of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of His resurrection as the message to be shared with others.
Evidences of the New Birth - Part 4
By Paris Reidhead13148:35New BirthACT 17:30EPH 4:17HEB 9:271JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:151JN 3:8In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of how we walk when we are alone and no one is watching. He refers to 1 John Ephesians 4:17 to understand the meaning of walking. The speaker emphasizes the need to keep God's commandments and warns against loving the world and its possessions. He also cautions against presuming to know someone's relationship with God, as only God truly knows the heart. The sermon explores the evidences of the new birth found in 1 John and highlights the significance of repentance and faith.
Evidences of the New Birth - Part 2
By Paris Reidhead12347:39New Birth1JN 1:6In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of attending a meeting where he was expected to bring success. Despite his efforts and the committee's excitement, he felt a spiritual emptiness and realized that God was not present. This led to a profound change in his heart. The speaker also references John Bunyan's struggles with shallow conversions and emphasizes the importance of a genuine transformation in one's life. He concludes by highlighting the significance of keeping God's commandments and the evidence of true faith through obedience.
Immense Is the Reward
By Clement of Rome0PSA 27:14PSA 50:16PSA 50:221CO 2:9EPH 5:101JN 1:6Clement of Rome speaks about the blessed and wonderful gifts of God, such as life in immortality, righteousness, truth, faith, and self-control, which are within our understanding now. He urges believers to earnestly wait for God to partake in His promised gifts, emphasizing the importance of faith, seeking what pleases God, following His blameless will, and walking in truth while rejecting unrighteousness and sinful behaviors. Clement warns against engaging in wickedness, deceit, slander, and hatred towards God, reminding that those who take pleasure in such actions are also condemned. He highlights the need for repentance and praises the sacrifice of praise that glorifies God and leads to His salvation.
The Christian in Complete Armour - Part 9
By William Gurnall0PRO 12:26MAT 5:16EPH 6:14HEB 12:141JN 1:6William Gurnall preaches about the importance of maintaining the power of holiness and righteousness in the lives of Christians. He emphasizes that true holiness is essential for communion with God, peace of soul, influence on others, and as evidence for heaven. Gurnall highlights the devil's opposition to holiness, the need to align with God's design for holiness, and the impact of holiness on one's own life and the lives of others.
Worldly Pollution
By A.W. Tozer0WorldlinessSpiritual AdulteryMAT 6:24JHN 15:19ROM 12:22CO 6:14GAL 5:17EPH 5:11JAS 4:41PE 2:111JN 1:61JN 2:15A.W. Tozer warns against the dangers of worldly pollution, emphasizing that the world represents a sinful human society that opposes the love of God. He identifies key characteristics of this world, including unbelief, where individuals reject the authority of Scripture, and impenitence, where people acknowledge their sins but lack genuine sorrow for them. Tozer stresses that true Christians should maintain fellowship with fellow believers rather than with those who live in unbelief. The sermon serves as a call to recognize and resist the influences of the world that lead to spiritual adultery.
Fellowship in the Light
By Erlo Stegen0Fellowship With GodConfession and Repentance1JN 1:6Erlo Stegen emphasizes the critical nature of true fellowship with God, asserting that claiming to be in fellowship while walking in darkness is a lie. He warns that genuine Christian life requires walking in the light as God is in the light, and that this fellowship is essential for salvation. Stegen highlights the importance of confession and repentance, using examples from David and Paul to illustrate the consequences of sin and the necessity of recognizing one's own sinfulness. He encourages self-examination and stresses that true fellowship with God leads to a transformed life, free from the darkness of sin. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the love and forgiveness found in Jesus, urging the congregation to reflect on their relationship with God.
1 John 1:6
By John Gill0Fellowship With GodWalking in the LightJHN 3:21JHN 8:12ROM 13:122CO 6:14EPH 5:8COL 1:131TH 5:51PE 2:91JN 1:61JN 2:4John Gill emphasizes the contradiction of claiming fellowship with God while walking in darkness, which represents sin, ignorance, and unbelief. He explains that those who profess to have communion with God but continue in sinful ways are deceiving themselves and are hypocrites. True fellowship with God results in walking in the light, as God is light, and one cannot genuinely know Him while remaining in darkness. Gill warns that such individuals are liars, as their actions do not align with the truth of the Gospel. The sermon calls for self-examination and a sincere pursuit of the light of Christ.
Fellow Workers With God
By A.W. Tozer0MAT 5:11ACT 5:3ROM 6:6ROM 12:10EPH 4:25COL 3:9HEB 6:18JAS 5:161JN 1:6In this sermon on the Greek term 'pseudomai' meaning to communicate falsehood with the intent to deceive, the preacher emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and the dangers of lying, drawing from various Bible verses that highlight the consequences of lying and the call to speak truth. The sermon delves into the significance of putting off the old self with its evil practices, urging believers to live in accordance with their new life in Christ, characterized by honesty and integrity. The preacher underscores the need for believers to practice mutual edification and truthfulness in their interactions, reflecting the transformation brought about by salvation.
The Comfort of Babylon or the Comfort of God
By Richard E. Bieber0MAT 6:24LUK 9:23JHN 8:12JHN 14:16JHN 14:181JN 1:6Richard E. Bieber preaches on the choice between serving God or mammon, highlighting the uncertainty of life in this world and the two ways to deal with it: relying on money for comfort or having faith in God. He emphasizes that serving both God and money is impossible, as illustrated by the story of King Solomon. The sermon urges believers to choose the comfort of God over the false comfort of Babylon, emphasizing the four specific comforts believers receive by serving God: the comfort of God's light, blood, purpose, and Spirit.
1 John 2:4
By John Gill0ObedienceTrue Knowledge of GodMAT 7:21JHN 14:15JHN 15:10ROM 2:13GAL 5:13JAS 1:221JN 1:61JN 2:41JN 3:242JN 1:6John Gill emphasizes the importance of aligning one's actions with their professed knowledge of God, warning against the hypocrisy of claiming to know Him while disregarding His commandments. He critiques those who, like the Gnostics, boast of spiritual enlightenment yet fail to demonstrate obedience, revealing their true ignorance. Gill asserts that true knowledge of God is evidenced by a life of obedience, and without this, one is a liar and lacks the truth of the Gospel in their heart.
Matthew 7:21
By Chuck Smith0True Relationship with ChristSelf-DeceptionMAT 7:21MAT 15:8LUK 6:46ROM 2:131CO 10:122CO 13:5GAL 6:7HEB 4:13JAS 1:221JN 1:6Chuck Smith addresses the theme of self-deception in the Christian faith, emphasizing that many who profess to know Christ may be misled by their own assumptions of safety. He warns against unconscious hypocrisy, where individuals may believe they are justified based on outward appearances and actions, while neglecting true self-examination and relationship with Christ. Smith highlights the dangers of false doctrines and the importance of genuine faith over mere verbal profession, reminding listeners that ultimately, it is our relationship with Christ that matters most.
Keeping His Commandment
By Paris Reidhead0ROM 2:14ROM 3:242CO 13:52TI 2:191JN 1:61JN 2:11JN 2:3Paris Reidhead preaches about the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commandments as evidence of eternal life. He emphasizes the need for true fellowship with God, not just knowledge about Him, and warns against living in known sin while claiming to know God. Reidhead highlights the significance of repentance, the decision to please God in everything, and the commitment to seek the highest good of God and others. He stresses that true love for God involves the intention and purpose of the heart, not just emotions, and challenges listeners to examine their intentions and commitment to God's commandments.
Lecture Ix. - Means to Be Used With Sinners.
By Charles Finney0WitnessingChristian ConductISA 43:10MAT 5:16MAT 28:19ROM 12:12CO 5:20PHP 2:15COL 3:17JAS 1:221PE 2:91JN 1:6Charles Finney emphasizes the critical role of Christians as witnesses for God, urging them to testify to the truth of the Bible and the reality of sin and salvation. He explains that the effectiveness of their testimony is not only in words but significantly in their actions and lifestyle, which should reflect their beliefs. Finney highlights the necessity of living a life that demonstrates the immortality of the soul, the vanity of earthly pursuits, and the love of Christ, as well as the importance of holiness and integrity. He warns that inconsistency between professed beliefs and daily conduct undermines the church's witness and hinders the conversion of sinners. Ultimately, he calls for a higher standard of Christian living to effectively reach the world with the Gospel.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If we say that we have fellowship - Having fellowship, κοινωνια, communion, with God, necessarily implies a partaking of the Divine nature. Now if a man profess to have such communion, and walk in darkness - live an irreligious and sinful life, he lies, in the profession which he makes, and does not the truth - does not walk according to the directions of the Gospel, on the grace of which he holds his relation to God, and his communion with him. The Gnostics, against whose errors it is supposed this epistle was written, were great pretenders to knowledge, to the highest degrees of the Divine illumination, and the nearest communion with the fountain of holiness, while their manners were excessively corrupt.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
say--profess. have fellowship with him-- (Jo1 1:3). The essence of the Christian life. walk--in inward and outward action, whithersoever we turn ourselves [BENGEL]. in darkness--Greek, "in the darkness"; opposed to "the light" (compare Jo1 2:8, Jo1 2:11). lie-- (Jo1 2:4). do not--in practice, whatever we say. the truth-- (Eph 4:21; Joh 3:21).
John Gill Bible Commentary
If we say that we have fellowship with him,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "for if we say": that is, if any profess to be partakers of the divine nature, to be like unto God, and to have communion with him, to have the light of his countenance, and the discoveries of his love: and walk in darkness; in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief, or are in a state of unregeneracy and blindness; whose understandings are darkened, and they know not God in Christ, nor have any true sight and sense of themselves, their sin and danger; and are ignorant of Christ and his righteousness, and the way of salvation by him; and are strangers to the Spirit of God, and the work of his grace; and are unacquainted with the truths of the Gospel; and not only so, but go on in darkness more and more; prefer it to the light, love it, and the works of it; have fellowship with them, and choose them; take pleasure in the ways of sin and wickedness, and continue, and walk on in them; if such persons pretend to fellowship with God, they are liars: we lie; it cannot be, it is a contradiction, the thing is impossible and impracticable; what communion hath light with darkness? or what fellowship can the throne of iniquity, or those in whom sin reigns, have with God? for God is light, and were they partakers of him, or like unto him, or had communion with him, they would consequently be in the light, and not in darkness, and much less walk in it; wherefore they are liars, and do not the truth: they do not say the truth, nor act according to it; they do not act uprightly or sincerely, but are hypocrites, and pretend to that which they have not; and if they did the truth, they would come to the light, and not walk in darkness; see Joh 3:21.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:6 This is the first of several instances in which John challenges the claims of the Gnostics, who had broken away from the apostolic fellowship and were thus living in spiritual darkness. They claimed to have fellowship with God but did not express his character, which is light. Jesus had warned the Jewish leaders of his day not to let the light they thought they had be darkness (Matt 6:23)—their religious beliefs had blinded them to the spiritual illumination they could have received from Christ. In like manner, these Gnostic teachers thought they were enlightened but were actually darkened by their so-called illuminations. They claimed to have spiritual experiences from God, yet they rejected fellowship with the ones who had actually seen God in the flesh, namely, John and the other apostles.