1 John is a direct, fatherly letter written to strengthen believers against false teaching and give them confidence in their faith. John emphasizes three major tests of genuine Christianity: right belief about Jesus, obedience to God’s commands, and love for others. The letter reassures Christians of their standing with God while exposing counterfeit faith marked by sin, hate, and doctrinal denial.
Background
Author: The Apostle John
Audience: Believers in and around the churches of Asia Minor
Date: AD 85–95
Location Written: Likely Ephesus
Context: False teachers, often called “antichrists”, were denying that Jesus came in the flesh, promoting moral compromise, and causing confusion within the church. John writes to distinguish true believers from false ones, calling Christians to walk in light, practice love, reject sin, and trust in the true Jesus Christ. The letter is deeply pastoral, meant to protect the church and offer assurance.
Characters
- John — Author; provides authoritative teaching to protect believers from deception
- False Teachers / Antichrists — Those denying Christ’s incarnation and leading people astray
- Believers in Asia Minor — John’s spiritual children whom he urges to walk in truth and love
- Jesus Christ — Central focus of the letter; fully God and fully man, the source of eternal life
Major Events
- God is light; believers must walk in the light and confess sin (Chapter 1)
- Tests of genuine faith: obedience, love, and right doctrine (Chapters 2–3)
- Warning against loving the world and following antichrists (Chapter 2)
- Teaching on being children of God and rejecting a lifestyle of sin (Chapter 3)
- Command to love one another based on God’s love for us (Chapters 3–4)
- Testing the spirits to discern truth from error (Chapter 4)
- Assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Chapter 5)
- Encouragement to prayer, obedience, and confidence before God (Chapter 5)
Application & Life Lessons
- Genuine faith produces obedience, love, and right belief
- The Christian life is incompatible with habitual, unrepentant sin
- Love for others is a defining mark of God’s children.
- False teaching must be tested and rejected, not tolerated.
- Jesus is fully God and fully man, the foundation of true Christian doctrine.
- Believers can have real confidence and assurance of their salvation.
- God’s love empowers us to love sacrificially and faithfully
- Victory over the world comes through faith in Jesus Christ
Bible Study Videos
Video by the Bible Project providing an overview of 1-3 John
Sermons & Teachings
Sermon by Skip Heitzig offering a brief overview of 1 John
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