First John

The Book of 1 John

Brief Summary. John encourages believers that Jesus was Jehovah God who had come in the flesh, that God is Light and he encourages Christians to walk in the light by keeping His commandments, and the main commandment was to love God and love one another. Anyone who does not love is an antichrist, and anyone who teaches that Jesus was not Jehovah come in a fleshly body is from the spirit of error. Whoever is fellowshipping with the world and sin is not from God. Christians should love one another and they will be assured that they know God and have Eternal Life.

Latin: Iohannis I

Greek: Ioannou a, First (letter) of John

Author: John the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Date: 80-90

Place: Ephesus

Writing to: Christians and people in and near Ephesus.

Doctrinal Classification: Soteriology

General Theme: Assurance of personal salvation

Important Points: The Love of God. John describes true fellowship of the believer with believer and with God. Describes God as light and love. Encourages a holy Christian walk before the Lord. Much mention of Christian love.

Smith's Bible Dictionary: First John

Unger's Bible Dictionary: First John

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Bible Books and Resource Links

1 John. "THOUGH the continued tradition of the church attests that this epistle came from John the apostle, yet we may observe some other evidence that will confirm (or with some perhaps even outweigh) the certainty of that tradition. It should seem that the penman was one of the apostolical college by the sensible palpable assurance he had of the truth of the Mediator's person in his human nature: That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life, 1 John 1:1. Here he takes notice of the evidence the Lord gave to Thomas of his resurrection, by calling him to feel the prints of the nails and of the spear, which is recorded by John. And he must have been one of the disciples present when the Lord came on the same day in which he arose from the dead, and showed them his hands and his side, John 20:20. But, that we may be assured which apostle this was, there is scarcely a critic or competent judge of diction, or style of argument and spirit, but will adjudge this epistle to the writer of that gospel that bears the name of the apostle John. They wonderfully agree in the titles and characters of the Redeemer: The Word, the Life, the Light; his name was the Word of God. Compare with John i. 1 and Rev. xix. 13. They agree in the commendation of God's love to us and ch. iv. 9; John iii. 16), and in speaking of our regeneration, or being born of God, and v. 1; John iii. 5, 6. Lastly (to add no more instances, which may be easily seen in comparing this epistle with that gospel), they agree in the allusion to, or application of, that passage in that gospel which relates (and which alone relates) the issuing of water and blood out of the Redeemer's opened side: This is he that came by water and blood, 1 John 5:6. Thus the epistle plainly appears to flow from the same pen as that gospel did. Now I know not that the text, or the intrinsic history of any of the gospels, gives us such assurance of its writer or penman as that ascribed to John plainly does. There (viz. John 21:24) the sacred historian thus notifies himself: This is the disciple that testifieth of these things and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. Now who is this disciple, but he concerning whom Peter asked, What shall this man do? And concerning whom the Lord answered, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (John :22). And who (John :21:20) is described by these three characters:-- 1. That he is the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Lord's peculiar friend. 2. That he also leaned on his breast at supper. 3. That he said unto him, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? As sure then as it is that that disciple was John, so sure may the church be that that gospel and this epistle came from the beloved John. The epistle is styled general, as being not inscribed to any particular church; it is, as a circular letter (or visitation charge), sent to divers churches (some say of Parthia), in order to confirm them in their stedfast adherence to the Lord Christ, and the sacred doctrines concerning his person and office, against seducers; and to instigate them to adorn that doctrine by love to God and man, and particularly to each other, as being descended from God, united by the same head, and travelling towards the same eternal life." - Matthew Henry (Read More)

Outline of the Book of 1 John (Scriptures and Topics Covered)
Fellowship with God - Chapter 1-3
Brotherly Love - Chapter 4
Victory over the World - Chapter 5

Questions for further study.

Who was the author of the book of First John?

What does it mean that Jesus was Jehovah come in the flesh?

What is the Spirit of error?

What does the Spirit of truth confess?

When was the book of First John written?

Where was the book of First John written?

What is Christian love?

What is in the world?

What language was the book of First John written in?

Why did John feel the need to write First John?

What is the main theme of the book of First John?

What does it mean to fellowship with the world?

What was John's relationship with Mary the mother of Jesus?

What was John's relationship with the city of Ephesus?

1 John Resources

Map of New Testament Israel
Map of the Roman Empire
Map of the New Testament World 
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Map of New Testament Cities
Map of the 7 Churches of Revelation (Asia Minor)
Map of the Roman Empire In the Time of Jesus
Map of Asia in Roman Times
Map of New Testament Greece