Book of 1 John - Chapter 1 - Verse 1

The verse "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;" is a powerful declaration of the firsthand experience of the author with the Word of life, who is believed to be Jesus Christ. The emphasis on hearing, seeing, looking, and touching signifies the intimacy and tangibility of the author's encounter with Jesus. By stating that this Word of life was from the beginning, the author is affirming the eternal nature of Jesus as the Word made flesh. The verse conveys the certainty and reality of the author's experience, reinforcing the importance of personal testimony and eyewitness accounts in spreading the message of faith. This verse serves as a testament to the profound impact that encountering Jesus can have on a person's life, inspiring belief and devotion.

The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the physicality of Jesus Christ's incarnation. The phrase "from the beginning" refers to the eternality of Christ, highlighting His existence before time began. The mention of hearing, seeing, and touching Him underscores the reality of His physical presence on earth. As the Word of life, Christ embodies the essence of life itself, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. This verse affirms the apostles' firsthand experience of Christ's earthly ministry, reinforcing the credibility of their testimony about His identity as the Son of God. Through their encounters with Christ, they were able to bear witness to His divine nature and fulfill their role as faithful messengers of the Gospel. Overall, this passage serves as a foundational statement of the apostolic witness to Christ's incarnation and His role in imparting eternal life to humanity.