What is the book of 1 John?
The book of 1 John is a letter. The letter doesn’t say who the writer was. It’s thought that the apostle John wrote it. The way the letter is written is very much like the Gospel of John.
It’s thought that John wrote this letter after writing the Gospel of John. It’s thought that he wrote it between the years AD 85 and 90.
The New Testament includes three letters that are thought to be written by John. This is the first letter.
Who was 1 John written to?
It isn’t known exactly who 1 John was written to. It’s thought that John sent it to believers in the area of Ephesus.
Followers of Jesus recognise that 1 John shares the truth about Jesus. It’s for all people everywhere.
Why was 1 John written?
To oppose teachers who taught that Jesus wasn’t both a human being and God’s Son.
To teach about faith in Jesus.
Main ideas
God is love.
Those who know God and show love to others are God’s children.
Jesus is completely human and completely God.
Jesus paid for people’s sins.
Outline
The Word of Life became a human being (1:1–4).
Light and darkness, loving and hating (1:5 – 2:28).
God’s children and the devil’s children (2:29 – 3:24).
Testing the spirits (4:1–6).
God’s love made complete (4:7–21).
Jesus is the true God and giver of eternal life (5).