DAILY DEVOTIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL GREEK – 1 John 1:3 by Abidan Paul Shah

Daily Devotions from the Original Greek – 1 John 1:3 by Abidan Paul Shah

Papyrus 9, 1 John, 4,11–12,14–17 - recto — Papyrus 9, P. Oxy 402, 3rd century, 1 John, 4,11–12,14–17 – recto

Through the years many people have approached me with the desire to study the Bible in the original languages. Not that they don’t trust the Bible in their English translations, they just have a hunger for more. The pattern is quite familiar – They ask me for resources. I provide them with the best tools. They wade into the murky waters of Grammar, Syntax, and Critical Issues of the biblical text. Some go farther than others but inevitably they all turn to familiar shores, never to venture again. It is truly unfortunate… Hence, these “Daily Devotions from the Original Greek.” They are in no way exhaustive exegetical commentaries. They’re simply my personal devotions based on the original languages. Hopefully, they will inspire some to cast anchor and sail into uncharted waters. My prayer is that you won’t despair when the winds howl or the waves threaten to overturn the boat. οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ ἡ θάλασσα ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ. (Matt. 8:27)

Text:

1 John 1:3 – Ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ·

(For the meaning and parsing of each Greek word in the verse please see below under parsing.

My Translation:

1 John 1:3 What we have seen and heard, we announce to you, in order that even you may have fellowship with us and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Some Devotional Thoughts:

John tells his readers that he is not content with having been with Jesus and seen His glory. He invites them to have fellowship with himself and those who have been with Jesus. In essence they will be having fellowship with God the Father and Jesus the Son. Unfortunately, Christianity today is very selfish. We have a personal relationship with God. We feel His presence in us. To the contrary, true fellowship with Jesus invites others to participate in the same joy and truth. Are you inviting others to join in your fellowship with Jesus? In fact, when unbelievers come in contact with us, it will create a desire in them to want their own personal relationship with Jesus.

Here’s something else – Christ is not just the Messiah of the Jewish people. He is also the Son of God. He is God in flesh. That is the heart of Christianity! Is Christ God to you?

Parsing[1]:

Ὃ = What (pronoun relative accusative neuter singular from ὅς)

ἑωράκαμεν = we have seen (verb indicative perfect active 1st person plural from ὁράω)

καὶ – and (conjunction from καί)

ἀκηκόαμεν, = we have heard (verb indicative perfect active 1st person plural from ἀκούω)

ἀπαγγέλλομεν = we announce (verb indicative present active 1st person plural from ἀπαγγέλλω)

ὑμῖν, = to you (pronoun personal dative plural from σύ)

ἵνα = in order that (conjunction from ἵνα)

καὶ = even (adverb from καί)

ὑμεῖς = you (pronoun personal nominative plural from σύ)

κοινωνίαν = fellowship (noun accusative feminine singular from κοινωνία)

ἔχητε = may have (verb subjunctive present active 2nd person plural from ἔχω)