an impressive “semantic and rhythmic momentum”11 that highlights three striking and informing themes: “life” (1:1d, 2a, 2d), “fellowship” (1:3c–d), and “joy” (1:4b). Underscoring these, John makes plain his aim to increase his audience’s adherence to tenets of the faith that they already hold dear.12 The following manner of arranging the passage serves well to feature those aspects of it that principally contribute to its stylized design.13 1:1 a ὃ ἦ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, b ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, c ὃ ἑωράκαμεν