Glad-U-See

Do we make the Father a liar if we say we have not sinned?

In this theocentric prologue of First John, the author uses the impersonal or royal "we". The "we" are those who are in the Exile (2Kin 17:23-24) and contemplating their host nation's perspective of the Torah.

1Joh 1:5-6 This then is the message which we have heard from the Father, and declare unto you, that YHVH is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with the Father, and walk in darkness (emulate our host nation; "darkness" is anywhere outside of the Land of Israel: Isa 9:1-3; 42:6-7,24; 43:5-7; Luk 1:68-79) we lie, and do not the Truth (do not follow the Torah, Psa 119:142; Joh 17:17).

1Joh 1:7-9 But if we walk in the Light as the Father is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another [the remainder of this verse was a scholium, evidently transferred into the text at some stage]. If we who walk in darkness (who imitate our host nation) say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth (the Torah) is not in us. If we who walk in darkness confess our sins, the Father is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (transgressions of the Torah, 1Joh 3:4).

1Kin 8:47-53 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) When they come to their senses in the land where they were deported and repent and petition you in their captors' land: "We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked," and when they return to you with their whole mind and heart in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to you in the direction of their land that you gave their ancestors, the city you have chosen, and the temple I, Solomon, have built for your Name. May you hear in heaven -- your dwelling place -- their prayer and petition, and uphold their cause. May you forgive your People who sinned against you and all their rebellions against you, and may you give them compassion in the eyes of their captors, so that they may be compassionate to them. For they are your People and your inheritance; you brought them out of Egypt, out of the middle of an iron furnace. May your eyes be open to your servant's petition and to the petition of your People Israel, listening to them whenever they call to you. For you, Adonai YHVH, have set them apart as your inheritance from all the people on earth (as you spoke through Your servant Moses when you brought their ancestors out of Egypt).

1Joh 1:10 If we who walk in darkness (who imitate our host nation) say that we have not sinned, we make the Father a liar, and his Word (His Torah) is not in us.

1Joh 2:1 My little children (Israel), I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. [The remainder of this verse and verse 2 were scholia as well].

1Joh 2:3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know the Father: by keeping His Commandments (Lev 27:34).

1Joh 2:4 The one who says, "I have come to know the Father," without keeping His Commandments, is a liar, and the Truth (the Torah) is not in him.

1Joh 2:5 But whoever keeps the Torah, truly in him the love of YHVH is perfected. This is how we know we are with Him and not against Him.

[Verse 6 was another scholium].

1Joh 2:7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a kainos (Greek: unfamiliar) Commandment, but an old and familiar Commandment that you have had from the beginning. This old Commandment is the Word (the Torah) you have shema (Hebrew: heard and obeyed).

1Joh 2:8 Yet I am writing you an unfamiliar Commandment (a "mystery", see the GUS comments on Rom 11:25-27, in the chapter entitled "What Must I Do to Be Safe?"), which is true in the Father and in you, because the darkness (the bitterness of exile) is passing away and the true Light (Psa 43:3-4) is already shining.

1Joh 2:9-11 The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in the darkness until now (still assimilated). The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he's going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1Joh 2:12 I am writing to you, Israel, because your sins have been forgiven on account of the Father's Name.

1Joh 2:13a I am writing to you, elders (Judah), because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.

1Joh 2:13b I am writing to young men (the general assembly), because you have had victory over this evil thing (the evil thing is assimilation, 1Joh 5:5).

The Greek word for "evil thing" is poneron which means full of peril and hardship. In Hebrew it is mitsrayim, or "Egypt" - Strong's #4714.

1Joh 2:14a I have written to you, Israel, because you have come to know the Father.

1Joh 2:14b I have written to you, Judah, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.

1Joh 2:14c I have written to the general assembly, because you are strong, Elohim's Word (the Torah) remains in you, and you have had victory over assimilation (1Joh 5:5).