1 John 1:2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

◄ 1 John 1:2 ►

New International Version
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

New Living Translation
This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.

English Standard Version
the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

Berean Standard Bible
And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

Berean Literal Bible
and the life was made manifest, and we have seen and bear witness, and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us--

King James Bible
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

New King James Version
the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

New American Standard Bible
and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us—

NASB 1995
and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

NASB 1977
and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

Legacy Standard Bible
and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

Amplified Bible
and the Life [an aspect of His being] was manifested, and we have seen [it as eyewitnesses] and testify and declare to you [the Life], the eternal Life who was [already existing] with the Father and was [actually] made visible to us [His followers]—

Christian Standard Bible
that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—

American Standard Version
(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us);

Contemporary English Version
The one who gives life appeared! We saw it happen, and we are witnesses to what we have seen. Now we are telling you about this eternal life that was with the Father and appeared to us.

English Revised Version
(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us);

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us.

Good News Translation
When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us.

International Standard Version
This life was revealed to us, and we have seen it and testify about it. We declare to you this eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

Majority Standard Bible
And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

NET Bible
and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us).

New Heart English Bible
(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);

Webster's Bible Translation
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and testify, and show to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

Weymouth New Testament
the Life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and we declare unto you the Life of the Ages which was with the Father and was manifested to us--

World English Bible
(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the Life appeared, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the continuous Life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us—

Berean Literal Bible
and the life was made manifest, and we have seen and bear witness, and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us--

Young's Literal Translation
and the Life was manifested, and we have seen, and do testify, and declare to you the Life, the age-during, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us --

Smith's Literal Translation
(And the life was manifested, and we have seen, and we testify, and announce to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us.

New American Bible
for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us—

New Revised Standard Version
this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness to it, and preach to you eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And The Life was revealed and we perceived and we testify and we proclaim to you the Life Eternal, that which was with The Father and was revealed to us.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
(the life also was manifested, and we have seen, and do testify, and declare to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

Godbey New Testament
and the life was made manifest, and we have seen, and we testify, and we proclaim to you the life which is eternal, which was with the Father, and has been made manifest unto us;

Haweis New Testament
(for the life was manifested, and we have beheld it, and bear testimony, and declare unto you that life eternal, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

Mace New Testament
for the life was manifested, we have seen it, we testify of it, and denounce unto you, that eternal life which was with the father, and was manifested unto us.

Weymouth New Testament
the Life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and we declare unto you the Life of the Ages which was with the Father and was manifested to us--

Worrell New Testament
(and the Life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you The Eternal Life; Who, indeed, was with the Father, and was manifested to us);

Worsley New Testament
(for this Life was manifested, and we saw it; and we testify and declare unto you that eternal Life, which was with the Father,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Word of Life
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 17:3
Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 5:26
For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.

John 6:57
Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

1 John 5:11-12
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Hebrews 1:2
But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:10
And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Acts 3:15
You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.

John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

Treasury of Scripture

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

the life.

1 John 5:11,20
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son…

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 11:25,26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: …

was manifested.

1 John 3:5,8
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin…

Romans 16:25,26
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, …

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

and bear.

John 15:27
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

John 21:14
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Acts 1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

shew.

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

that eternal.

John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

which was.

Proverbs 8:22-30
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old…

John 1:1,2,18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…

John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Jump to Previous

Age-During Ages Appeared Bear Clear Declare Eternal Life Manifest Manifested Proclaim Revealed Shew Show Testify Witness Witnessing

Jump to Next

Age-During Ages Appeared Bear Clear Declare Eternal Life Manifest Manifested Proclaim Revealed Shew Show Testify Witness Witnessing

1 John 1

1. He describes the person of Christ, in whom we have eternal life, by a communion with God;
5. to which we must adjoin by walking in the light.

Berean Study Bible

and this life was revealed
The phrase "this life" refers to the eternal life embodied in Jesus Christ. The Greek word for "revealed" is "phaneroō," which means to make manifest or visible. In the historical context of the early church, this revelation was a profound declaration that the divine life, previously hidden, was now made known through the incarnation of Christ. This unveiling is not just a historical event but a continuous revelation to believers, emphasizing the accessibility of divine truth through Jesus.

we have seen it
The apostle John emphasizes the physical and tangible experience of witnessing Christ. The Greek word "horaō" for "seen" implies not just a casual glance but a deep, perceptive observation. This underscores the apostolic authority and firsthand testimony of the disciples, who were eyewitnesses to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Historically, this counters early Gnostic claims that denied the physical reality of Jesus.

and testify to it
The word "testify" comes from the Greek "martyreō," which means to bear witness. This is a legal term, suggesting a solemn declaration of truth. The apostles' testimony is not based on hearsay but on direct experience, providing a foundation for the Christian faith. In a historical context, this testimony was crucial for the early church to establish the credibility of the Gospel message.

and we proclaim to you
"Proclaim" is translated from the Greek "apaggellō," meaning to announce or declare. This indicates an active and intentional sharing of the Gospel. The apostles' mission was to spread the message of Christ to all, fulfilling the Great Commission. This proclamation is not just informative but transformative, inviting listeners to partake in the eternal life offered through Jesus.

the eternal life
"Eternal life" in Greek is "zōē aiōnios," signifying not just unending existence but a quality of life that is divine and transcendent. This life is characterized by a relationship with God, beginning now and continuing forever. Theologically, it is a central promise of the Gospel, offering hope and assurance to believers.

that was with the Father
The phrase "with the Father" highlights the pre-existence and divine nature of Christ. The Greek "pros ton Patera" suggests an intimate relationship, indicating that Jesus was not only present with God but in a close, personal communion. This affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is distinct yet one with the Father.

and was revealed to us
The repetition of "revealed" emphasizes the importance of this divine disclosure. The apostles received this revelation directly, and through their witness, it is extended to all believers. This underscores the continuity of divine revelation from the Father, through the Son, to the apostles, and ultimately to the church. Historically, this revelation was foundational for establishing the truth of the Gospel against heretical teachings.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - Parenthetical. The main thought of verses 1 and 3 is, "We declare to you a Being both eternal and yet seen and known by us." That of verse 2 is, "This Being, in his character of the Life, became visible, and in him are centered all the relations between God and man." Quite in St. John's style, verse 2 takes up and develops a portion of verse 1, using its last word as the basis of a new departure (comp. John 1:14; ἐφανερώθη gives the same fact as σάρξ ἐγένετο from another point of view). Became flesh is the fact in itself; the incarnation of the Λόγος. "Was manifested" is the fact in reference to mankind; their admission to the knowledge of it. The union of "see" with "bear witness" recalls John 19:35; and here, again, verse 2 resumes and develops part of verse 1. Have seen sums up the four verbs in verse 1; for in all languages sight is used of experience generally. Bear witness and declare carries us a stage further - the communication of the experience. It is doubtful whether τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον is the object of all four verbs or of ἀπαγγέλλομεν only. Note the double article: the life, the eternal life. The Epistle begins and ends with this theme (1 John 5:20). (For ἥτις and πρός, cf. John 8:53; John 1:1.) Which indeed (as all must know) was with the rather. The verse ends as it began, but not with a mere repetition; the Life was manifested, and in particular to us.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[this is] the
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

life
ζωὴ (zōē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

that was revealed;
ἐφανερώθη (ephanerōthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5319: To make clear (visible, manifest), make known. From phaneros; to render apparent.

we have seen [it]
ἑωράκαμεν (heōrakamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

testified [to it],
μαρτυροῦμεν (martyroumen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3140: To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

we proclaim
ἀπαγγέλλομεν (apangellomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 518: To report (from one place to another), bring a report, announce, declare. From apo and the base of aggelos; to announce.

to you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

eternal
αἰώνιον (aiōnion)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 166: From aion; perpetual.

life
ζωὴν (zōēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

that
ἥτις (hētis)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

with
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Father
Πατέρα (Patera)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

was revealed
ἐφανερώθη (ephanerōthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5319: To make clear (visible, manifest), make known. From phaneros; to render apparent.

to us.
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Links

1 John 1:2 NIV
1 John 1:2 NLT
1 John 1:2 ESV
1 John 1:2 NASB
1 John 1:2 KJV

1 John 1:2 BibleApps.com
1 John 1:2 Biblia Paralela
1 John 1:2 Chinese Bible
1 John 1:2 French Bible
1 John 1:2 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 John 1:2 And the life was revealed and we (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)