SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 John 2000 – Page 9

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2:2

2:2a

the atoning sacrifice: (Meaning) This shows the basis on which Jesus is able to ask God to forgive us. It is because he himself bore all the punishment which God had ordered us to bear for our sins. He did this by his death, and in this way he took the place of the sacrificial animal which God had said in the Old Testament must be the payment for sin.

2:2b

the whole world: (Figure of Speech) Here this phrase means all the people in the world.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:10

1:10a

If we say: (Expression) See the note on 1:6.

have not sinned: (Meaning) This is different from the beginning of 1:8. Here John is dealing with those who claim that although other Christians sometimes sin, they themselves have not done anything that needs to be confessed.

1:10b

make Him out to be a liar: (Logical Relationship) Perhaps it is not clear why John says that claiming not to have sinned is making God out to be a liar. The reason is that God has said that all people have sinned. Therefore anyone who says that we have not sinned is thereby saying that God has lied. You may need to state this reasoning explicitly in your translation.

1:10c

His word is not in us: (Meaning) If we call God a liar, it shows that we have not accepted what he has said or allowed it to affect our lives.

(1) In this sentence it probably means that everything Jesus does is good and right in God’s sight. (This is the sense in which John usually uses this word.)

(2) The Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible and Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English translate it as “just,” meaning that Jesus treats everyone fairly in his dealings and judgments.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:9

1:9a

If we: (Expression) Here John is giving a positive contrast to the previous verse, just as 1:7 contrasted with 1:6. See the note on 1:7.

confess: (Meaning) This means to admit freely to God things which previously we have tried to hide or deny.

1:9b

He is faithful and just: (Logical Relationship) A literal translation of this verse might suggest that God is faithful and just only if we confess our sins. A good translation needs to make it clear that God has promised to forgive and cleanse us if we confess our sins, and we can be sure he will do this, since he always does what is right and he is always faithful to his promises.

forgive us…cleanse us: (Meaning) This is referring to the fact that every time we confess a sin to God he forgives the sin and makes us once more acceptable to him.

unrighteousness: (Meaning) This word is similar to “sin” but it emphasizes everything about our character and behavior that is contrary to what God wants.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:8

1:8a

If we say: (Expression) See the note on 1:6.

have no sin: (Meaning) Here John is referring to those who claim that whatever Christians do is right and therefore Christians cannot be said to commit sin.

1:8b

we deceive ourselves: (Meaning) It is not true that Christians never sin. So if we say things like this we are confusing or deceiving ourselves and others.

1:8c

the truth is not in us: (Collocation) In some languages it is not natural to say that an abstract idea like “truth” is “in” someone. John means that if we say that we have no sin, then it is clear that we do not know the truth which God has revealed. God has shown in the Old Testament and the Gospels what sin is. So if we say something different about sin it cannot be true.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:7

1:7a

if we…: (Expression) Here John is giving a positive contrast to the last verse, showing what Christians should be doing. Therefore it may be appropriate to use “we” here even if you have used “somebody” in 1:6.

walk in the light: (Metaphor) This means behaving consistently with what God has revealed about his nature and his will. This is clearly contrasted with “walk in the darkness” in the previous verse.

1:7b

He is in the light: (Meaning) Notice the difference from 1:5. Here John says that God is in the light. This is focusing on his actions, which are always good and pure and in accordance with his nature.

1:7c

fellowship with one another: (Focus) The obvious consequence of us walking in the light would be that we would have fellowship with God. But here John is focusing on the fact that doing God’s will causes us to be united with all God’s people. He is warning his readers against the false teachers, who led their followers to break away from fellowship with other Christians.

1:7d

blood of Jesus His Son: (Meaning) This term is often used in the N.T. to refer to Jesus’ violent death, which removes our sin in the same way that the blood of the sacrificed animals did in the O.T.

cleanses: (Metaphor) This is a metaphor for removing from us all that would make us unacceptable to God, that is, all evil. Note that here John is referring to the process that continues throughout our Christian lives.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:6

1:6a

(Good News Translation) then: (Logical Relationship) 1:6 gives the conclusion which John draws from what he has said in the previous verse about God being light. This connection may be clearer if some linking word such as “so” or “then” is used. See Good News Translation, Living Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English.

If we say: (Expression) These words also occur at the beginning of 1:8 and 1:10. In each case they introduce some false teaching which John wants to expose. He is not implying that he or his readers did actually say such things. He is quoting what the false teachers say and what his readers would say if they followed them. It may be more natural in your language to say, “If/When somebody says…”

with Him: (Pronoun Reference) It may be clearer or more natural to say “with God” here as in The Jerusalem Bible.

1:6b

walk in the darkness: (Metaphor) The picture of a person walking in darkness refers to someone not knowing the truth and constantly doing what is wrong.

1:6c

do not practice the truth: (Meaning) John is saying that not only would such a statement (1:6a) be a lie, but also the person who said it would not be living in accordance with the truth that God has revealed about himself.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:5

Paragraph 1:5–10

Read 1:5–10 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: In the previous verses John expresses the desire that his readers should share the fellowship which he has with God. In 1:5–10 he makes the point that God is morally pure and holy, and therefore those who sin cannot have fellowship with God unless they confess their sins and God forgives them. His purpose is to persuade his readers to confess their sins.

1:5a

And: (Discourse Feature) Because the previous verses contrast with what John is saying in 1:5–10, a connecting word such as “But” may be needed here instead of And. Good News Translation uses “Now,” which in English indicates a mild contrast.

this: (Pronoun Reference) The word this refer to the statement “God is light…”

we: (Pronoun Reference) John is referring to himself and the other apostles.

from Him: (Pronoun Reference) In order to make clear who this refers to, it will probably be necessary to use a fuller form, for example, “from Jesus Christ,” or “from God’s Son” as in Good News Translation.

1:5b–c

God is light: (Meaning) This is a description of God’s nature or character. Be sure in translation it does not sound as if John is identifying God with some particular light. The following clause confirms this statement by denying its opposite: “in him there is no darkness at all.”

light…darkness: (Metaphor) In the Bible “light” symbolizes goodness and purity and the truth that comes from God’s revelation of himself. “Darkness” symbolizes ignorance and all that is evil. If these symbols are not clear in your language, it may be necessary to state the meaning explicitly in your translation.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:4

1:4a

these things: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two opinions about what the words these things refer to here:

(1) It probably refers to what John has said in verses 1–3.

(2) Some think it refers to the rest of the letter.

1:4b

so that our joy may be complete: (Logical Relationship) John’s purpose in writing is not primarily to make himself joyful. He is writing so that his readers will learn about true fellowship and have fellowship with him. If they do, that is what will cause him to be joyful. If this is not clear in translation some of this information should be made explicit.

our joy: (Text) The King James Version “your joy” is from an inferior Greek text. The other versions have “our joy.”

our: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two interpretations of this word here:

(1) It is probably inclusive, meaning “(joy) of you and us apostles.”

(2) Some think it is exclusive, meaning “(joy) of us apostles.”

complete: (Meaning) This means “as great as it can be,” “without any sadness or anything to spoil it.”

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2000

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2:2

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:10

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:9

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:8

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:7

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:6

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:5

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:4

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