The First Epistle of John, often referred to simply as First John or 1 John, is the fourth of the General Epistles or Catholic Epistles of the New Testament. This epistle was likely written by John the Evangelist around 90-95 A.D. while he was living in Ephesus. The purpose of 1 John seems to be to combat certain false teachings concerning the nature of Christ and the Christian life. Throughout the letter, John repeatedly emphasizes the themes of love, obedience, and holding fast to the true faith in Christ. Here are some common questions people have about this important New Testament book:
Who wrote 1 John?
Although the epistle does not directly name its author, the strong uniformity of style and content leads nearly all modern scholars to agree it was composed by John the Apostle, son of Zebedee and author of the Gospel of John. The letter contains many similarities in wording and theological emphases to the gospel account attributed to John. The author of 1 John is also closely familiar with his audience, suggesting he ministered to the recipients earlier. For these reasons, there is little dispute John the Apostle penned this letter near the end of his life while overseeing the churches in Asia Minor.
When was 1 John written?
Most New Testament scholars date the composition of 1 John to between A.D. 90-95. The epistle was likely written after the Gospel of John and John’s letters 2 and 3 John. The writing style and developed theology indicate 1 John was composed late in John’s life. Also, by the 90s A.D. the heresies opposed in 1 John, such as Docetism, had become more prevalent. Dating 1 John early is necessary to account for its wide acceptance and use among early Christians.
What is the purpose and theme of 1 John?
John’s stated purpose for writing is: “that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). The epistle seems to combat certain false teachings propagated by former members of the Christian community (1 John 2:19). These false teachers denied the full humanity of Jesus (Docetism) and taught that sinful conduct had no impact on spiritual life. John counters these ideas by emphasizing genuine knowledge of Christ, obedience to God’s commands, and brotherly love. Central themes include holding fast to truth, living righteously, loving fellowship, and gaining assurance of eternal life.
What are some of the main teachings in 1 John?
Some key teachings found in 1 John include:
– God is light and perfection, so believers must walk in His light and love (1 John 1:5-7).
– Christians can have assurance of eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13).
– Knowing God requires obedience to His commands, not mere profession of faith (1 John 2:3-6).
– Love for fellow believers is a defining mark of being born of God (1 John 3:10-18).
– Jesus Christ came in the flesh as fully God and fully man (1 John 4:2-3).
– Faith in Christ overcomes the evil one and the sinful world system (1 John 5:4-5).
– God gave His Spirit to help and teach believers (1 John 2:20-27).
– Christians must test the spirits to discern truth from deception (1 John 4:1-6).
What are the main sections and structure of 1 John?
1 John follows a cyclical or repetitive structure moving through the same themes multiple times:
– Prologue affirming the apostolic eyewitness of Christ (1 John 1:1-4)
– God is light, so walk in light (1:5-2:27)
– God is righteous, so live righteously (2:28-3:24)
– God is love, so love one another (4:1-5:12)
– Conclusion on knowing eternal life is ours (5:13-21)
Overall, the letter moves from theological foundations about God and Christ to their ethical implications for Christian living and loving fellowship.
What false teachings was John refuting in 1 John?
1 John combats several false teachings, mainly Docetism and antinomianism. Docetism taught that Jesus only appeared to be human but was not actually incarnate in the flesh. This heresy denied Christ’s full humanity (1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 7). Antinomianism claimed that knowledge and grace freed Christians from any obligation to obey God’s moral commands. John argues that obedience is essential evidence of true knowledge of God (1 John 2:3-6; 3:4-10). Other errors mentioned include denying personal sin (1:8-10) and the need to love fellow Christians (2:9-11; 3:10-18; 4:20-21).
How does 1 John depict the character of God?
John highlights several attributes of God in this letter:
– God is light and perfection, absolutely holy (1:5)
– God is righteous, thus His people must practice righteousness (2:29; 3:7)
– God is love, evidenced by sending Christ to die for us (4:8-10)
– God gives the Spirit to indwell believers (4:13; 3:24)
– God answers prayer that aligns with His will (3:21-22; 5:14-15)
Overall, God is portrayed as a personal and relational God who indwells His people and cares about how they live and show His love to others.
What are the major themes in 1 John?
Major themes in 1 John include:
– Knowledge and assurance – John wrote so believers could be sure of eternal life by knowing Christ (5:13). Genuine knowledge is tied to obedience.
– Light versus darkness – God is perfect light, so His people must walk in the light of truth, righteousness, and love (1:5-7).
– Love and hate – Loving fellow believers is light, while hating them is darkness (2:9-11; 3:10-18; 4:7-12, 19-21).
– Truth versus deception – Christians must test the spirits and discern truth from deception (4:1-6).
– Obedience and righteousness – Keeping God’s commands demonstrates we know Him (2:3-6; 3:4-10).
– Overcoming the world – Faith in Christ overcomes the evil world system ruled by Satan (5:4-5).
– Fellowship with God – God sent His Son and Spirit so we can have fellowship with Him as His children (1:3; 3:1).
What are some key verses in 1 John?
Here are some noteworthy verses from 1 John:
– 1:7 – “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
– 2:6 – “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
– 3:18 – “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
– 4:4 – “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
– 4:10 – “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
– 5:11-12 – “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life.”
How is Jesus Christ described in 1 John?
John presents Jesus Christ is the following roles and aspects:
– The Word of Life manifested in flesh (1:1-3)
– Our advocate pleading our case before the Father (2:1)
– The atoning sacrifice for our sins (2:2; 4:10)
– The perfectly righteous one (2:6; 3:3)
– The Son of God come in flesh (4:2, 9, 14; 5:20)
– The Savior of the world who gives eternal life (4:14; 5:11-12)
– The one who overcame the world (5:4-5)
Overall, Christ in 1 John is the incarnate Son sent by the Father to give eternal life to those who believe by cleansing their sins through his sacrifice.
What are the main ethical teachings in 1 John?
While rooted in right theology, John stresses ethics and practice. Key moral instructions in 1 John include:
– Walk in God’s light by confessing sin, obeying commands, loving others (1:5-7; 2:3-11)
– Do not love the world or anything belonging to it (2:15-17)
– Love fellow believers in action and truth (3:11-18; 4:7-21)
– Live righteously as Christ is righteous (2:29; 3:7-10)
– Discern truth from spiritual deception (4:1-6)
– Believe in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God (3:23; 5:1, 5)
– Follow the Spirit He gave rather than human teachers (2:26-27)
– Pray according to God’s will (5:14-15)
John ties right doctrine to moral uprightness and love among Christians. Truth must be lived out in love.
What are some difficulties in interpreting 1 John?
Interpreters face several challenges in studying 1 John:
– Lack of historical context since John doesn’t state the setting or audience.
– Its circular structure with repeating themes makes outlining difficult.
– Identifying the false teachers being opposed is largely speculative.
– Textual variants between “God” and “Christ” exist in key passages.
– Debate over whether “sin that leads to death” refers to apostasy or unforgivable sins.
– Disagreement if “antichrists” refers to end time figures, or present false teachers John faced.
– Question if the prologue introduces the whole letter or just the first section.
Even with these difficulties, the main themes and teachings of 1 John are clear enough to benefit readers.
How should studying 1 John impact how Christians live?
This epistle contains much practical instruction for Christian living:
– Having assurance in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins
– Loving one another sincerely, not just in words
– Holding fast to true doctrine about Christ come in the flesh
– Obeying God’s commands by the Spirit’s help
– Discerning truth from deception using Scripture
– Overcoming attachment and conformity to this fallen world
– Walking in righteousness and purity as Christ did
– Rejecting false teachings that distort the gospel
– Abiding in intimate fellowship with God and other believers
1 John aims to reinforce core truths about Christ and godly conduct so believers can effectively love others and combat heresy. Applying its teachings can strengthen our faith, discernment, ethics, and witness.
How does 1 John portray eternal life?
Eternal life is a key theme. John teaches:
– Eternal life is given through knowing Jesus Christ whom God sent (5:11-13, 20).
– This life was manifested in Jesus Christ (1:2).
– It is found in God’s Son alone – eternal life is in Christ (5:11-12).
– We now possess eternal life with ongoing effects (5:13).
– Eternal life is God’s gift to us, not something we earn or merit (4:9-10).
– It involves resurrection and fellowship with the Father and Son (1 John 1:3; 2:25).
– Assurance of eternal life strengthens our faith and obedience (5:13).
For John, eternal life is a current relationship with Christ that provides present confidence and future hope of resurrection.
What are some good Bible studies or sermons on 1 John?
Here are some helpful resources for studying and preaching from 1 John:
– Sermon series: “Test of Fellowship” (1 John), by John Piper
– Sermon: “Love, Truth, and the Church” (1 John 4:7-21), by Tim Keller
– Book: New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Epistles of John, by William MacDonald
– Commentary: The Epistles of John (NICNT), by John R.W. Stott
– Topical study: “The Life of Victory: A Study of 1 John” by Kay Arthur
– Video series: “Letters of John” (BibleProject)
– Podcast: “Studies in 1 John” by John MacArthur
– Children’s material: “The Love Dare for Kids” adaptation of 1 John
There are many rich resources available to ground believers in the key themes of fellowship with God, light and darkness, love for others, and eternal life in Christ.