that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
the disciples who have been with Jesus, this Word of Life, touched him with their own hands, heard him and seen - they will declare what they have seen and heard with us, so that we may be a part of this fellowship with God.
This word "declare" means:
- to bring tidings (from a person or a thing), bring word, report
- to proclaim, to make known openly, declare
So these ones who were with Jesus are apostles, ones sent with a message to proclaim, to make known openly the things they heard and saw.
David Guzik brings out the meaning of the word fellowship:
It is the ancient Greek word koinonia, which speaks of a sharing, a communion, a common bond and life. It speaks of a living, breathing, sharing, loving relationship with another person.
c. John simply, and boldly, says that we can have fellowship . . . with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. To say one can have this kind of relationship with God would be astounding to many of John's readers, and it should be astounding to us. The Greek mind-set highly prized the idea of fellowship, but restricted to men among men - the idea of such an intimate relationship with God was revolutionary.
i. Jesus started the same kind of revolution among the Jews when He invited men to address God as Father (Matthew 6:9). We really can have a living, breathing relationship with God the Father, and with Jesus Christ. He can be not only our Saviour, but also our friend, and our closest relationship.
The word fellowship has in it not only the idea of relationship, but of sharing a common life. When we have fellowship with Jesus, we will become more like Him.
f. That you also may have fellowship with us: We may think it curious that John first considers fellowship with God's people; but this is often how people come to experience a relationship with God: they first encounter God through relationships with God's people.
g. At the end of verse 3, John finally names this being - eternally existent, physically present, the Word of Life, God yet distinct from the Father - it is God the Son, whose name is Jesus, who is the Christ (Messiah).
I am excited by this part of Johns letter. So many people here in Nelson decline the "fellowship of the saints" of God's Body. Yet John highlights fellowship, one with another as an integral part of our "koinonia" with God. In fact it is highlighted by him first and considered a blessing. And John remember, is declaring what he has heard from Jesus.
And our fellowship stems from our relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
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