PDF The Necessity of Walking in the Light

An Exegesis of 1 John 1:5-10

Abstract

1 John 1:5-10 is an exhortatory piece whose subject is the character of Christian living in relation
to God’s standard of holiness. This paper is a study of the necessity of walking in the light based
on the exegesis of 1 John 1:5-10. The exegesis applies the grammatical-historical method
through which the researcher examines the grammar, syntax, and the literary structure of 1 John
1:5-10. The statement, ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία, in verse 5 and its
related concepts in the other verses serves as the central idea under investigation. The researcher
observes that the author uses a pastoral rhetoric method to warn against three negative claims
and practices (1 Jn 1:6, 8, 10) and encourages his audience to observe two positive confessions
and practices (1 Jn 1:7, 9), all of which are related to verse 5. The exegesis shows that the aim of
the author is to encourage believers to live according to the fact that God is light and requires
that those who have fellowship with him should walk in the light (1 Jn 1:5-7). This article has
highlighted some of the ways in which Christians today can be motivated to pursue a holy life as
a requirement by God in order to conform to his nature.