BACKGROUND NOTES ON THE BOOK OF 1 JOHN

Author
The author of 1 John is traditionally identified as the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, and the author of the Gospel of John and Revelation. Conservative scholars affirm this view based on strong early church testimony, including Irenaeus and Polycarp, who were disciples of John. The writing style, themes, and vocabulary closely resemble the Gospel of John, further supporting Johannine authorship.
 
Why was it written?
John wrote this letter to encourage believers to remain in true fellowship with God and one another, countering false teachings that denied Jesus' full humanity and divinity. He emphasizes love, obedience, and assurance of salvation. The letter probably addresses the rise of early Gnostic influences that promoted distorted views of Christ and morality.
 
How and when was it written?
1 John was likely written between AD 80-90, towards the end of John's life, from Ephesus. The letter does not follow a typical epistolary format but reads more like a pastoral sermon or circular letter sent to multiple churches in Asia Minor.
 
First audience and destination
The letter was probably written to a network of churches, possibly in Asia Minor, where John had a significant pastoral influence. These congregations were facing challenges from false teachers who sought to lead believers astray. John reassures them of their faith and calls them to remain steadfast in Christ.
 
Literary style
1 John is written in simple yet profound Greek, using repetition and contrast to emphasize key themes. The letter is structured around recurring themes rather than a strict outline, with parallel ideas reinforcing the message of love, truth, and obedience.
 
Themes
· Assurance of salvation: Confidence in eternal life through faith in Christ.
· Love and fellowship: The necessity of love for God and fellow believers.
· Walking in truth and light: A call to live righteously and reject sin.
· Warning against false teachers: Rejecting those who deny Jesus as the Christ.
· The role of the Holy Spirit: Assurance and guidance for believers.
 
Special features
·
· No formal introduction or conclusion, suggesting it was meant as a general message for many churches.
· Frequent use of contrasts (light vs. darkness, truth vs. falsehood, love vs. hate).
· Emphasis on knowing God through obedience, love, and faith.
· A clear refutation of early Gnostic heresies denying Jesus' full humanity. Some verses could be intended to combat the opposite view, an emerging doctrine that Christ's body was not human, and that therefore his sufferings were only apparent.
· A strong pastoral tone, reinforcing family language such as "little children".
 
General structure
· Chapter 1:1-4: Introduction - The Word of life and fellowship with God
· Chapters 1:5-2:29: Walking in the light - Living righteously and rejecting sin
· Chapter 3:1-24: Love and obedience - The marks of true children of God
· Chapter 4:1-6: Testing the spirits - Discerning truth from falsehood
· Chapter 4:7-21: God is love - The centrality of love in the Christian life
· Chapter 5:1-21: Assurance of salvation - Faith in Christ and confidence in eternal life
 
 

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