Scripture
1 John 1:5-10 but read the whole chapter.
Questions
5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Who is the “him” from which the message was received?1
What central message about God does 1 John 1:5 convey?2
Now read these extracts from the Dead Sea Scrolls…
1For the In[structor the Rule of] the War. The first attack of the Sons of Light shall be undertaken against the forces of the Sons of Darkness, the army of Belial: the troops of Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, 2the [Amalekites], Philistia and the troops of the Kittim of Assyria. Supporting them are those who have violated the covenant. The sons of Levi, the sons of Judah, and the sons of Benjamin, those exiled to the wilderness, shall fight against them 3with […] against all their troops, when the exiles of the Sons of Light return from the Wilderness of the Peoples to camp in the Wilderness of Jerusalem.
1Q33 Col. i:1-3
16 […] the holy ones shall shine forth in support of […]the truth for the annihilation of the Sons of Darkness.
1Q33 Col. i:16
Which metaphor is common in sources from the Second Temple period, including John, to contrast good and evil?3 Do you have a similar metaphor in your language?4
7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
According to the text, what does it mean to "walk in the light"?5
What is the consequence of claiming to have fellowship with God while walking in darkness?
What does blood represent in Levitical sacrificial system?6
8 If we say that we do not have sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, so that he will forgive us our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
What is the warning about claiming to be without sin?7
More
BibleProject Guide: The Books of 1-3 John
The letter begins with reference to John 1:1. The λόγος is the “him” that “we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes” [1:1].
God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all.
They contrast the followers of light [righteousness] with those of darkness [sin], as seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls and other writings.
Perhaps “black and white” in English.
If we are walking in the light means we “fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin”.
Blood represents life and can atone, or cover over, ritual impurity and intentional sin.
Claiming to have not sinned makes Jesus a liar and shows that His word is not in us.