THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

INTRODUCTION TOTHE FIRST LETTER OF JOHN

Author: John Date: 90

Authorship Though it is generally agreed that the same person wrote the gospel of John and these epistles, some feel that they were not written (as traditionally held) by John the apostle, the son of Zebedee, but by another John (the elder or presbyter, 2 John 1; 3 John 1. It is argued that (1) an uneducated man (Acts 4:13) could not have written something so profound as this gospel; (2) a fisherman’s son would not have known the high priest as did John the apostle; and (3) an apostle would not have called himself an elder. But “uneducated” did not mean illiterate, but only without formal training in the rabbinic schools; some fishermen were well-to-do (cf. Mark 1:20); and Peter, though an apostle, called himself an elder (1 Pet. 5:11). Further, if John the elder is the “beloved disciple” and the author of the gospel, why did he not mention John the son of Zebedee, an important figure in the life of Christ, in that gospel? Every evidence, points to John the elder being the same as John the apostle and the author of this letter.

Date and Place of Writing Strong tradition says that John spent his old age in Ephesus. Lack of personal references in this letter indicates that if as written in sermonic style to Christians all over Asia Minor (much like Ephesians). It was probably written after the gospel and before the persecution

under Domitian in 95, which places its writing in the late 80s or early 90s.Gnosticism The heresy of Gnosticism had begun to make inroads among churches in John’s day. Among its teachings were: (1) knowledge is superior to virtue; (2) the nonliteral sense of Scripture is correct and can be understood only by a select few; (3) evil in the world precludes God’s being the only Creator; (4) the incarnation is incredible because deity cannot unite itself with anything material such as a body (Docetism); and (5) there is no resurrection of the flesh. The ethical standards of many Gnostics were low, so John emphasized the reality of the incarnation and the high ethical standard of the earthly life of Christ.

Contents The letter, show John’s obvious affection for his “little children” and concern for their spiritual welfare. The book is filled with contrasts – light and darkness (1:6-7; 2:8-11) love of world and love of God (2:15-17); children of God and children of the devil (3:4-10); the Spirit of God and the spirit of Antichrist (4:1-3); love and hate (4:7-12,16-21).

Outline of First John

I. Introduction: The Purpose of the Letter, 1:1-4

A.The Incarnation of the Word of Life

1. The Word of Life: What was heard, seen, and touched

II. Conditions for Fellowship, 1:5-2:2

A. Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

1. Conformity to a Standard, 1:5-7a. God is Light (v 5), so walk in the Light (v 7)

2. Confession of Sin: Christ our Advocate, 1:8-2:2

III. Conduct in Fellowship, 2:3-27

A. The Character of Our Conduct – Imitation, 3-11

1. The Test of Knowing Him

a. God’s Commands: Those who know Christ obey His commandments

B. The Commandment for Our Conduct – Separation, 12-17

1. Reasons for Writing: Encouragement and Assurance, 12-142. A Warning about the World: Do Not Love the World, 15-17

C. The Creed for Our Conduct – Affirmation, 18-27

1. Warning Concerning Antichrists - Live in Christa. Deceptions of the last hour, 18-23b. Remaining with God: Let truth abide in you, 24-27

IV. Characteristics of Fellowship, 2:28-3:24

A. In Relation to Our Prospect: Purity, 2:28-3:3

1. God’s Children

B. In Relation Our Position: Righteousness and Brotherly Love, 4-18

1. Love One Another a. God is Love (3:16; 4:8,16), so Love one Another

C. In Relation to Our Prayers: Answers, 19-24

V. Cautions of Fellowship, 4:1-21

A.Concerning False, Lying Spirits, 1-6

1. The spirit of truth and the spirit of errora. How to recognize the Spirit of God

B. Concerning a True, Loving Spirit, 7-21

1. God Is Love (vv 8,16): God’s Love Lives in His Peoplea. Knowing God through love, 7-11b. Seeing God through love, 12-16a. The consummation of love, 17-19b. Obedience by Faith (Keeping God’s commandments), 20-21

VI. Consequence of Fellowship, 5:1-21

A. Faith in the Incarnate Son of God: Those Who Believe in Jesus Are God’s Children, 1-12

1. Overcoming the Worlda. Love for the Brethren, 1-3b. Victory over the World, 4-5c. Testimony concerning the Son of God: God has given us Eternal Life in the Son, 6-12

B. Concluding Affirmations: This Is Written That You May Know, 13-21

1. Assurance of Eternal Life, 13

2. Guidance in Prayer (Effective Prayer), 14-17a. Confidence and compassion in prayer

3. Freedom from Habitual Sin (Our Assurance of Eternal Life), 18-21

a. Knowing the true – rejecting the false

Source: The RYRIE Study Bible – New International Version by Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., New International Version – (NIV), New King James Version – (NKJV), GOD’S WORD Translation – (GW), Holman Christian Standard Bible – (HCSB), English Standard Version – (ESV), New American Standard Bible – (NASB) and Lexham English Bible (LEB) with adaptations

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1 John

1 John 1 1 John 2 1 John 3

1 John 4 1 John 5

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4. Hymn “Yes I Know”GOD IS LIGHT - Light and Darkness / Sin, Confession and

Forgiveness: The Blood of Jesus Takes My Sins Away (First Epistle of John, Chapter 1)

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