New Testament · General Epistle · Book 62 of 66
Book of 1 John
A pastoral letter on assurance: God is light, God is love, and those who know Him walk in the light, love one another, and hold to the truth about Jesus Christ.
5 Chapters
1 John 1–5
Author
John (traditionally the apostle)
Written
c. A.D. 85 – 95
Written From
Probably Ephesus
Overview
Book of 1 John Summary
First John is a warm but direct letter to believers who had been shaken by teachers who had left the church and were denying that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (2:18–23; 4:1–3). John writes so that his readers may have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1:3), so that their joy may be complete (1:4), and so that they may know that they have eternal life (5:13).
The letter does not follow a simple outline. Instead it returns again and again to three tests of genuine faith: believing the truth about Jesus Christ, obeying God’s commands and living rightly, and loving one another. It teaches that God is light (1:5) and God is love (4:8, 16), that believers are God’s children now (3:1–2), and that when they sin, they have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One (2:1).
John warns against loving the world, calls readers to test the spirits, and reminds them that perfect love drives out fear. The letter ends with the assurance that those who believe in the name of the Son of God have eternal life, and with a short warning to keep away from idols (5:21).
About the Name
Title
The traditional Greek title is Ioannou A, “Of John, first.” “John” comes from a Hebrew name meaning “the Lord is gracious.” It is the first of three letters that bear his name, along with 2 John and 3 John, and it is one of the General Epistles.
Unlike most New Testament letters, 1 John has no greeting naming the sender or the readers and no formal closing. It reads more like a pastoral sermon sent to be read to several congregations, and the author often addresses the readers as “dear children” (2:1).
Who Wrote It
Author Details
The letter does not name its author. Church writers from the second century on, such as Irenaeus, attributed it to John the apostle, the son of Zebedee and one of Jesus’ closest disciples. The opening speaks of what the author has “heard,” “seen” and “touched” (1:1–3), and its language of light, life, love and truth closely resembles the Gospel of John.
When It Was Written
Date of Writing
The letter is traditionally dated to about A.D. 85–95, late in the first century and after the Gospel of John, when John was thought to be living in Ephesus. Church tradition says that he served the churches of Asia Minor in his last years.
Some scholars place it earlier, or place it in the same period as the Gospel. The letter speaks of people who “went out from us” (2:19) and of false teaching about Christ, though it does not name the group.
Study Guide
1 John Outline
5 chapters in five parts. The letter returns to its themes in a spiral rather than a strict order, so this outline follows the chapters. Tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it at BibleGateway.
Part I
The Word of Life and Walking in the Light
1:1–2:6 · Fellowship with God
Part IV
Testing the Spirits and the Love of God
Chapter 4 · God is love
Continue Your Study
Verse references link to the NIV at BibleGateway.