1 John 1:2 Commentary and Bible Study

The task of the apostles was to bear witness to the one who was with the Father even before the world was created. He was manifested as one who pre-existed – the word ‘manifested’ assumes the fact of his previous being. Since all created things have a beginning, he who is that eternal life must be uncreated for he had no beginning. He receives life from no one else but has life as an essential part of his being. He is a distinct person from the Father but in perfect loving communion with him from all eternity. Although all members of the Godhead have life within them, it is the second person of the Trinity whose coming has brought life into the world. Old Testament believers knew this life in the form of a promise, but the apostles had first-hand experience of it. Not all who saw the life recognised it but only those possessing faith; to them there was a double manifestation: to the outward eye by sight, and to the inward eye by faith.