1 John

Brian Swedburg brian at discoveryhills.org
Mon May 1 15:39:43 EDT 2000



Brian Sullivan wrote:

> A few months back Greg Kilbrai suggested 1 John was a good bible book to
> start off in reading Greek. Hence, as I have time, I have begun to attempt
> a translation of this work, for the shear pleasure of it, as well as for
> the practice.
>
> My question is: what Greek issues in this bible book fascinate you as
> fellow b-Greekers? Are there particular passages that you feel worthy of
> extra comment?

Greetings,
    You have invited input on what fascinates us, so I assume you don't mind hearing
from even us little-Greekers.

    The more time I have spent with this book, the more of an impact it has made
upon me that there is so little "informative communication", rather, almost entirely
persuasive, affirmative, cohesive communication.  In fact, there is a great deal of
knowledge they already posses ( referred to in 1:1-3 and 2: 8 by the neuter
pronoun), which they are called to live in the light of. This presents part of the
translation challenge, I think.  The basic etymological sense of each word and the
grammar is generally straightforward.  The question becomes, "What is the author
desiring to accomplish with these words?"
    Second, I have been pleasantly surprised to find that each unfolding of the
letter, each imperative, each "mitigated exhortation", finds it's foundation, appeal
or example in Jesus.  It has become more and more apparent to me that the "liars" of
1:18-26 have marginalized the "need of Jesus", for being a part of God's
fellowship.  John, in sharp contrast asserts that fellowship with God requires
knowing Jesus and walking in the light with Him (2:6; 2:28-3:10), agreeing to and
receiving forgiveness in Jesus (2:1-2), loving as Jesus does (2:7-8; 3:12-16), and
confessing Jesus as Savior and God( 2:22-23; 3:23; 5:11-12; 5:20).
    Though this may have sounded like an opportunity to preach, my point is that I
have been surprised to see the centrality of Jesus connected to the imperatives and
exhortations of this Greek Text.

Thanks,
Brian
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