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1 John 1 · a question people ask

"that you also may have fellowship with us" (1:3). What does fellowship mean here?

In the text

Behind fellowship is a Greek noun that Strong's gives as "partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse" (tap fellowship). The verse itself says with whom: "that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." (1:3). These notes say no more of the noun than the lexicon does, and no more of the fellowship than the verse's own words.

The verses

“that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 John 1

1 John 1: That you also may have fellowship

1:3 says why the letter declares what it does, "that you also may have fellowship with us", and says with whom that fellowship is: "Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." (1:3).

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Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions