1 John

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Epistle or sermon

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1.8)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. (1 John 3.1)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4.7–8)

The train of thought is not always easy to follow – but that’s OK, because most themes loop around again.

The author is not identified in the letter, which begins and ends abruptly. Christian tradition associates the author of 1 John – and 2 and 3 John – with John the author of the fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation. Church tradition further identified that John as John, son of Zebedee, one of the 12 apostles. Debates about the authorship of the Johannine material (i.e. John’s Gospel, 1, 2 and 3 John and Revelation) are extensive and marked by a lack of agreement.

• Some, though not many, think the same author wrote all five books.
• Others think that one author wrote the Gospel and letters, but another wrote Revelation.
• Others again think that one author wrote the Gospel and 1 John; another wrote 2 and 3 John, and yet another wrote Revelation

It is interesting to read all five books together and see what you think!

What do we know about him?

If the author of 1 John is John the apostle, he was the brother of James, called by Jesus to follow him early in his ministry. He is often thought to be the 'beloved disciple' of John’s Gospel (see introduction to John’s Gospel for more on this); if he was, then when he was on the cross, Jesus handed over care for his mother to him. Christian tradition states that he took her to live in Ephesus, where he lived to a ripe old age (around 100). If the author is a different John, then we know much less about him. If the same person wrote 2 and 3 John then he was an elder in the church.

The problems with authorship make it hard to date these letters but most think they come from the end of the first century, around the AD 90s.

What were people feeling? 

Despite the differences between 1, 2 and 3 John, the thread that joins them all is the question of what it means to live out the love of Jesus in the people's everyday lives.

1 John is often called an epistle, but it doesn’t read much like one. It has no opening or ending like most letters. So it may have been a sermon, or a reflection, or a testimony (the expression 'bear witness' occurs a lot) about Jesus and how to follow him.

1.1–4 Witness to the nature and life of Jesus
1.5–3.10 Walking in the light
3.11–5.12 Living in love
5.13–21 Do not sin

The names of people and peoples

Cain, John of Patmos, John the elder

Throughout the letter there is a vital connection made between knowing God and doing good works. Look out for it as you read.
Look out too for the themes of light and love, and notice how the two are intertwined in what the author says.
Also important is the theme of witnessing. Notice this strand as you read.

Reflect on the connection between knowing God and doing good, an important theme in this book. Is the movement from one to the other an easy one, do you think?

• Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or that inspired you?
• Were there any parts of the book that you disliked or that troubled you?
• What did you think the book was about?
• The author talks a lot about sin. What do you think he means? What do you mean by the word?
• 1 John 2.6 tells us that ‘whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he walked’. What do you think this means in practice?
• 1 John also says that you cannot be 'in the light' while you hate a brother or sister (2.9). What are some of the implications of this teaching?
• Did you read anything in the book that touched you, expanded your faith or made you think more deeply about your life and how you live it?