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1Jn 1:1. Ὃ ἦν, That which was) John writes his Epistle [which is furnished with a most august exordium.-V. g.] in a simple style, without inscription or conclusion. He does not appear to have sent it abroad, but to have communicated it in person to his hearers. See 1Jn 1:4, compared with 2Jn 1:12, at the end. He says, That which was from the beginning, for He who was, ch. 1Jn 2:13; because that which occurs again immediately. When speaking of God and Christ, the apostle frequently uses a common name for a proper one by the figure Antonomasia, as He Himself, He, The Holy One, The True One, and periphrasis, as He who is from the beginning, etc. In the first clause he marks out λόγον, the Word, Himself; and then the things which they have heard respecting Him.-ἦν, was) even before He was manifested. He was with the Father: see 1Jn 1:2.-ἀπ ̓ ἀρχῆς, from the beginning) The phrase ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, from the beginning, of frequent occurrence in this epistle, is not to be taken in one and the same sense only, but to be explained from each passage which happens to be present: ch. 1Jn 2:7; 1Jn 2:13-14, 1Jn 3:8. In this first passage of the epistle, the phrase from the beginning, comprises the whole state of the Word of life, with the Father, 1Jn 1:2, which state preceded his manifestation. Compare the expression, In the beginning, Joh 1:1, note. Wherefore it is not an unsuitable flight of speech.-ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, that which we have heard) Hearing, the sense by which we receive instruction, is put in the first place, sight follows by gradation. Both are reassumed in 1Jn 1:3, where I say may be understood. John proclaims so great an amount of evidence of this manifestation, that it is not now necessary to adduce the prophets: Comp. 2Pe 1:19, note. He speaks in the plural number in his own name, and in the name of other fathers: ch. 1Jn 2:13. He appears to have written at a time, when many of the fathers were still alive.-ἐθεασάμεθα, we beheld) to a very great degree.-περὶ, concerning) They perceived the truth of His flesh, and in it the glory of the only begotten. The word was denotes the latter, was manifested, the former.-τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς, the Word of life) ὁ λόγος, the Word is used by itself, and the Life by itself: whence the Apposition, The Word the Life; then the Word of Life; The Word in whom was life: Joh 1:4; and the Life, that is eternal; and, life eternal: 1Jn 1:2. Thus that title, the God of glory, includes the simple title of God.