1 John 1 · Verse 4

1 John 1:4

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:4, King James Version

1 John 1:4 in other translations

BSBWe write these things so that our joy may be complete.
WEBAnd we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
ASVand these things we write, that our joy may be made full.
YLTand these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
DARBYAnd these things write we to you that your joy may be full.
BBEAnd we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be made complete.
WebsterAnd these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.

What does 1 John 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. these things--and none other, namely, this whole Epistle. write we unto you--Some oldest manuscripts omit "unto you," and emphasize "we." Thus the antithesis is between "we" (apostles and eye-witnesses) and "your." We write thus that your joy may be full. Other oldest manuscripts and versions read "OUR joy," namely, that our joy may be filled full by bringing you also into fellowship with the Father and Son. (Compare Joh 4:36, end; Php 2:2, "Fulfil ye my joy," Php 2:16; 4:1; 2Jo 8). It is possible that "your" may be a correction of transcribers to make this verse harmonize with Joh 15:11; 16:24; however, as John often repeats favorite phrases, he may do so here, so "your" may be from himself. So 2Jo 12, "your" in oldest manuscripts. The authority of manuscripts and versions on both sides here is almost evenly balanced. Christ Himself is the source, object, and center of His people's joy (compare 1Jo 1:3, end); it is in fellowship with Him that we have joy, the fruit of faith.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. And these things write we unto you. These things respecting him who was manifested in the flesh, and respecting the results which' flow from that.

That your joy may be full. This is almost the same language which the Saviour used when addressing his disciples as he was about to leave them, (Jn 15:11;) and there can be little doubt that John had that declaration in remembrance when he uttered this remark. Jn 15:11. The sense here is, that full and clear views of the Lord Jesus, and the fellowship with him and with each other, which would follow from that, would be a source of happiness. Their joy would be complete if they had that; for their real happiness was to be found in their Saviour. The best editions of the Greek Testament now read "your joy," instead of the common reading "our joy."

(c) "that your joy" Jn 15:11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 That your joy may be full - Ye have already tasted that the Lord is good; but I am now going to show you the height of your Christian calling, that your happiness may be complete, being thoroughly cleansed from all sin, and filled with the fullness of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 John 1:1-4

That essential Good, that uncreated Excellence, which had been from the beginning, from eternity, as equal with the Father, and which at length appeared in human nature for the salvation of sinners, was the great subject concerning which the apostle wrote to his brethren. The apostles had seen Him while they witnessed his wisdom and holiness, his miracles, and love and mercy, during some years, till they saw him…

Read the full comment on 1 John 1:1-4 →

1 John 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ταῦταtautathese thingsG3778
γράφομενgraphomenwriteG1125
ἡμεῖςhēmeiswe ourselvesG3165
ἵναinaso thatG2443
ἡhētheG3588
χαρὰcharajoyG5479
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
ᾖēmay beG1510
πεπληρωμένη.peplērōmenēcompleted.G4137

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 John 1:4

  • John 15:11

    These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

  • John 16:24

    Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

  • 2 John 1:12

    Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:24

    Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

  • Habakkuk 3:17-18

    Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

  • Ephesians 3:19

    And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

  • John 3:29

    He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

  • Philippians 1:25-26

    And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

  • Isaiah 61:10

    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
Isa 61:10; Hab 3:17,18; Joh 15:11; 16:24; 2Co 1:24; Eph 3:19
Php 1:25,26; 2Jo 1:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 John 1:3

    That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

  • 1 John 1:4

    And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

  • 1 John 1:5

    This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Read all of 1 John 1

1 John 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y estas cosas os escribimos, para que vuestro gozo sea cumplido.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et nous vous écrivons ces choses, afin que votre joie soit accomplie.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und dies schreiben wir euch, auf daß eure Freude völlig sei.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et hæc scribimus vobis ut gaudeatis, et gaudium vestrum sit plenum.