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Introduction to the Epistle of 1 John

The First Epistle of John is a significant New Testament writing, widely attributed to the Apostle John, who also authored the Gospel of John and Revelation [1, 2, 3]. It was likely written from Ephesus towards the close of the first century, when John was an elderly man [1, 2, 5, 10]. This places its composition after the other Gospels, with some scholars suggesting it was written around A.D. 90-100 [5].

The primary purpose of 1 John, as stated by the apostle himself in the introduction (1 John 1:1-4), is to declare the "word of life" to its recipients [1, 2, 13]. John's aim is to foster true communion between himself and his readers, and ultimately with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ [1]. The epistle emphasizes that union with God is achieved through Christ's atoning work (1 John 1:7; 2:2; 3:5; 4:10, 14; 5:11, 12) and His role as an advocate (1 John 2:1) [2]. On the part of humanity, this union requires holiness (1 John 1:6) [2].

Augustine, in his homilies on John, notes that the epistle, likely the "last utterance of the Spirit of inspiration," conveys a sense of "assured hope" and "fullness of joy" [10]. While it strongly refutes error, Augustine describes it less as an argument and more as an "intuition, an open vision of the divine truths announced" [10]. He suggests it was written during a period of external peace for the Church, but one marked by internal errors and perils [10].

The epistle opens with John asserting his authority as an eyewitness to the Gospel facts, having "seen, heard, and handled" Jesus, "Him who was from the beginning" (1 John 1:1) [4, 11]. This direct testimony underscores the reality of Christ's incarnation and serves as a foundation for the truths he communicates [11].

Throughout the epistle, John addresses several key themes:

The structure of 1 John often moves between these interconnected themes. For instance, after establishing the evidence for Christ's person and the joy found in communion, John describes God's nature and the implications for how believers should live [13]. He then addresses the way to forgiveness and the danger of denying sin (1 John 1:8-10) [13]. Later, he connects God's love in adoption with the call to holiness and the rejection of sin [16]. The epistle concludes with assertions about the dignity of believers, their victory, the credibility of their faith, and the assurance of answered prayers [15].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: John, The First Epistle General Of — There can be no doubt that the apostle John was the author of this epistle. It was probably written from Ephesus, and most likely at the close of the first century. In the introduction, ch. (1 John 1:1-4) the apostle states the purpose of his epistle: it is to declare the word of life to those whom he is addressing, in order that he and they might be united in true communion with each other, and with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. His lesson throughout is that the means of union with God are, on the part of Christ, his at”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: John, First Epistle of — The fourth of the catholic or "general" epistles. It was evidently written by John the evangelist, and probably also at Ephesus, and when the writer was in advanced age. The purpose of the apostle (1:1-4) is to declare the Word of Life to those to whom he writes, in order that they might be united in fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. He shows that the means of union with God are, (1) on the part of Christ, his atoning work (1:7; 2:2; 3:5; 4:10, 14; 5:11, 12) and his advocacy (2:1); and (2), on the part of man, holiness (1:6”
  3. Revelation of John “Revelation of John 1:1 (Rotherham) — The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to point out unto his servants the things which must needs come to pass with speed,—and he shewed them by signs, sending through his messenger, unto his servant John;”
  4. I John “I John 1:1 (BBE) — That which was from the first, which has come to our ears, and which we have seen with our eyes, looking on it and touching it with our hands, about the Word of life”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: John, Gospel Of — This Gospel was probably written at Ephesus about A.D. 78. (Canon Cook places it toward the close of John's life, A.D. 90-100.--ED.) The Gospel was obviously addressed primarily to Christians, not to heathen. There can be little doubt that the main object of St. John, who wrote after the other evangelists, is to supplement their narratives, which were almost confined to our Lord's life in Galilee. (It was the Gospel for the Church, to cultivate and cherish the spiritual life of Christians, and bring them into the closest relations to the divine Savio”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 John 3:18 cross-references: Exodus 33:21, Ezekiel 33:31, Matthew 25:41, Luke 7:5, Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, James 2:15, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 2:1, 2 John 1:1”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 John 4:1 cross-references: Deuteronomy 13:1, Proverbs 14:15, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 29:8, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:23, Mark 13:21, Luke 12:57, Luke 21:8, Acts 17:11, Acts 20:29, Romans 16:18, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 2:18, 2 John 1:7, Revelation 2:2”
  8. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 John 1:1 cross-references: Luke 1:3, John 8:32, Galatians 2:5, Galatians 2:14, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 5:7, Ephesians 1:4, Colossians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 2:4, Hebrews 10:26, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 5:1, 1 John 2:21, 1 John 3:18, 2 John 1:2, 2 John 1:5, 2 John 1:13”
  9. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 John 1:5 cross-references: John 13:34, John 15:12, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:8, 2 Peter 1:7, 1 John 2:7, 1 John 3:11, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:20”
  10. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — INTRODUCTION. (part 1): This first Epistle of John, probably written at Ephesus near the close of the first century, the last utterance of the Spirit of inspiration, breathes the calmness of an assured hope, and that fullness of joy of which the Apostle would have his readers to be made partakers. While strongly refuting error, it is not so much an argument as an intuition, an open vision of the divine truths announced. It was evidently written in a time of external quiet for the Church, but of special exposure to errors and perils from within. The n”
  11. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1 (introduction): THE WRITER'S AUTHORITY AS AN EYEWITNESS TO THE GOSPEL FACTS, HAVING SEEN, HEARD, AND HANDLED HIM WHO WAS FROM THE BEGINNING: HIS OBJECT IN WRITING: HIS MESSAGE. IF WE WOULD HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, WE MUST WALK IN LIGHT, AS HE IS LIGHT. (Jo1 1:1-10) Instead of a formal, John adopts a virtual address (compare Jo1 1:4). To wish joy to the reader was the ancient customary address. The sentence begun in Jo1 1:1 is broken off by the parenthetic Jo1 1:2, and is resumed at Jo1 1:3 with the repetition of some words from Jo1 1:1. That which was-”
  12. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN 3 In this chapter the apostle exhorts to a holy life and conversation in general, and to the exercise of brotherly love in particular. The former of these is urged from the consideration of the great blessing of adoption, which springs from the free love and favour of God, is unknown to the men of the world, and indeed, in the present state of things, does not appear to the saints themselves in all its fulness and advantages, as it will do in the future state, when the children of God will be like to Christ, and see him as he is; t”
  13. 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 1 (introduction): Evidence given concerning Christ's person and excellency (Jo1 1:1, Jo1 1:2). The knowledge thereof gives us communion with God and Christ (Jo1 1:3), and joy (Jo1 1:4). A description of God (Jo1 1:5). How we are thereupon to walk (Jo1 1:6). The benefit of such walking (Jo1 1:7). The way to forgiveness (Jo1 1:9). The evil of denying our sin (Jo1 1:8-10).”
  14. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN 2 In this chapter the apostle comforts the saints under a sense of sin; urges them to an observance of the commandments of God, in imitation of Christ, particularly to the new commandment of brotherly love, and gives his reasons for it; dehorts them from the love of the world, and the things of it; cautions them against false teachers and antichrists, and exhorts them to abide in Christ, and persevere in the faith of him. He first declares that the end of his writing was to prevent their sinning; but supposing any should fall into ”
  15. 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 5 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle asserts, I. The dignity of believers (Jo1 5:1). II. Their obligation to love, and the trial of it (Jo1 5:1-3). III. Their victory (Jo1 5:4, Jo1 5:5). IV. The credibility and confirmation of their faith (Jo1 5:6-10). V. The advantage of their faith in eternal life (Jo1 5:11-13). VI. The audience of their prayers, unless for those who have sinned unto death (Jo1 5:14-17). VII. The preservation from sin and Satan (Jo1 5:18). VIII. Their happy distinction from the world (Jo1 5:19). IX. Their true knowledge of God (Jo1 5:20), upo”
  16. 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 3 (introduction): The apostle here magnifies the love of God in our adoption (Jo1 3:1, Jo1 3:2). He thereupon argues for holiness (Jo1 3:3), and against sin (v. 4-19). He presses brotherly love (Jo1 3:11-18). How to assure our hearts before God (Jo1 3:19-22). The precept of faith (Jo1 3:23). And the good of obedience (Jo1 3:24).”
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