We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
Parallel translations
- WEB And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
- KJV And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
- NKJV And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
- NASB These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
- NLT We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John writes so that joy may be made complete. True fellowship with God overflows in fullness of joy.
Overview
The aim of the letter is the readers' (and writer's) full joy, which flows from secure fellowship with the Father and Son. Joy here is not circumstantial happiness but the settled gladness of those rightly related to God. The whole letter, with its assurances and warnings, serves this end.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- John 15:11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
- John 16:24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
- 2 Jn 1:12I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
- 2 Cor 1:24Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
- Hab 3:17–18Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls,
- John 3:29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
- Eph 3:19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- Isa 61:10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Phil 1:25–26Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
- 1 Jn 2:1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Jesus is the Word of life made manifest, the propitiation for our sins, the Son in whom is eternal life — 'that you may know that you have eternal life.'
How 1 John 1:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.