1 John 1:4
What does 1 John 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 1:4 means
John states a pastoral purpose for writing: that joy might reach its fullness. This joy is not superficial cheerfulness but the deep gladness that springs from shared fellowship with God and His people. As the apostolic message is received, believed, and lived, joy is completed—both in the writers and in the readers. The fullness suggests that joy matures where truth about Christ is embraced and relationships are formed around Him. John’s love for the churches is evident; he longs for their joy to be as complete as possible, which can only happen as they remain in the message already proclaimed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be made complete.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice and your joy may be full.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And these things write we to you that your joy may be full.
Context
Having explained the aim of proclamation (fellowship), John adds the emotional fruit of that aim (joy). This closes the prologue’s purpose statements and bridges to the central theological theme introduced next: God is light. From verse 5 onward, John will measure all claims to fellowship by the standard of God’s nature. The mention of joy anticipates the encouragement and the searching tests that follow, showing that truth and joy are not rivals but companions in the Christian life.
v.3that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:
v.4This passage
v.5And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 3:19
and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.
- Habakkuk 3:17
For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
- Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
- John 3:29
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.
- John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
- Philippians 1:25
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;
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