1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on… Without this concluding sentence the apostle's description of the experience of faith had been imperfect; for wherever the Lord carries on "the work of faith with power," there is on the believer's part an appropriation to himself of that eternal life which he has heard, seen, and looked upon by faith. There is, as John expresses it, "a handling" of the Word of life. And probably the expression, "which our hands have handled," denotes some sensible experience of our union with the Lord Jesus, and a consciousness that we are within the bonds of the covenant of grace, so that by the aid of the Holy Ghost we can say with Paul, "He loved me and gave Himself for me." "Laying hold on eternal life," and apprehending Christ with a faith which says, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me," we are blessed indeed, and exclaim in the language of faith's assurance, "My Lord and my God!" (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; |
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