1 John
Introduction: First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared.
Date Written: Between A.D. 85 and 90.
Author: No identification of the author is made known in the letter but many believe this to have been written by the apostle John. The earliest accreditation to John comes from the church fathers: Irenaeus,Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and Origen. John was an older man and may have been the only surviving apostle at this time. He had not yet been banished to the island of Patmos. Evidence from early Christian writers place the apostle in Ephesus during most of his later years. Clement of Alexandria indicates that John ministered in the various churches scattered through the Roman province of Asia where Ephesus is located.
History: One of the most dangerous heresies of the first two centuries of the church was Gnosticism. It's central teaching was that spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. Salvation is the escape from the body, achieved by special knowledge (the Greek word for 'knowledge' is gnosis.). The readers at the time this letter would have been initially circulated would have been confronted with an early form of Gnostic teaching. Gnosticism would have counteracted the belief that Jesus did not come in the flesh but was only a spirit.
Purpose: The letter was addressed to believers but specifics are unknown. The fact that no name or specific audience is mentioned suggests that this was a circular pastoral letter sent to Christians in a number of places and is applicable to Christians everywhere. The letter was written to dispel doubts and to build assurance by presenting a clear picture of Christ.
Reference: www.biblica.com, Wikipedia, Life Application Bible Notes, www.bibleref.com
Date Written: Between A.D. 85 and 90.
Author: No identification of the author is made known in the letter but many believe this to have been written by the apostle John. The earliest accreditation to John comes from the church fathers: Irenaeus,Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and Origen. John was an older man and may have been the only surviving apostle at this time. He had not yet been banished to the island of Patmos. Evidence from early Christian writers place the apostle in Ephesus during most of his later years. Clement of Alexandria indicates that John ministered in the various churches scattered through the Roman province of Asia where Ephesus is located.
History: One of the most dangerous heresies of the first two centuries of the church was Gnosticism. It's central teaching was that spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. Salvation is the escape from the body, achieved by special knowledge (the Greek word for 'knowledge' is gnosis.). The readers at the time this letter would have been initially circulated would have been confronted with an early form of Gnostic teaching. Gnosticism would have counteracted the belief that Jesus did not come in the flesh but was only a spirit.
Purpose: The letter was addressed to believers but specifics are unknown. The fact that no name or specific audience is mentioned suggests that this was a circular pastoral letter sent to Christians in a number of places and is applicable to Christians everywhere. The letter was written to dispel doubts and to build assurance by presenting a clear picture of Christ.
Reference: www.biblica.com, Wikipedia, Life Application Bible Notes, www.bibleref.com
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Chapter 1
------------------------------------------------ Emphasis is on the author's eyewitness experience with Jesus. |
Chapter 2
------------------------------------------------ Encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others. Anyone who claims to have fellowship with Christ should live as if that is true. |
Chapter 3
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Chapter 4
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Chapter 5
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