Devine Scripture

1 John 1:5

What does 1 John 1:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 1:5 means

Here John summarizes the core message received from Jesus: God is light, with no trace of darkness. Light points to God’s holiness, truth, purity, and life-giving clarity. Darkness pictures sin, falsehood, and moral confusion. The statement is absolute—there is no mixture in God. This truth both comforts and confronts: the One we approach is utterly trustworthy and pure, and fellowship with Him cannot be indifferent to moral reality. John is not offering a mere metaphor but setting the standard by which claims and conduct will be tested in the verses that follow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

This is the word which came to us from him and which we give to you, that God is light and in him there is nothing dark.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And this is the message that we have heard from Him, and announce to you, that God is light, and darkness in Him is not at all;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And this is the declaration which we have heard from him and declare unto you: That God is light and in him there is no darkness.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And this is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, thatGod is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Context

After establishing Christ’s manifestation and the purpose of fellowship and joy, John now declares the theological baseline that governs the rest of the chapter. The nature of God as light provides the measure for genuine fellowship. Verses 6–7 will apply this baseline with contrasting “if we say” statements—first exposing empty claims, then describing true walking in the light. Verses 8–10 will then address honesty about sin and God’s gracious provision through confession and cleansing.

v.4and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.

v.5This passage

v.6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 8:12

    Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23

    For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

  • John 9:5

    When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

  • Psalms 27:1

    Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

  • John 1:9

    There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.

  • Psalms 36:9

    For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light.

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