1 John — Introduction & Outline

Tradition for the authenticity of John is very early and very strong. It is referred to by Polycarp (c. 69-155), an acquaintance of John's, and Papias (c. 80-155), an acquaintance of Polycarp's. Other early church fathers affirm John's authorship.

Internally, the epistle bear's witness to John as its author although he is never named. It is clear from the overall tone that the writer had the knowledge and authority of an apostle and was so well known to the readers that mention of his name was unnecessary. He classifies himself within the apostolic circle by the "we" passages which are his claims to be an eyewitness to Christ's life (1:1-3; 4:14). In addition, the similarities with John's Gospel are obvious. There is similarity of style, vocabulary, phraseology and the use of contrasting opposites. Claims which exaggerate the differences between the two documents have little convincing substance. Also, some dispute John's authorship by naming "John the Elder" instead. This depends solely on an interpretation by Eusebius of a statement by Papias. But even granting the legitimacy of his interpretation, there is every possibility that the two characters are one and the same person.

Strong tradition places John in Ephesus during the later and final years of his life.

Most believe John wrote his epistle from here sometime after he wrote his Gospel. The absence of any mention of persecution may indicate a date before the persecution under Domitian which began in A.D. 95. There is also no hint that John was in Ephesus before Paul's death in A.D. 68. The lack of mention of the destruction of Jerusalem indicates John wrote quite a bit before A.D. 70, or quite a bit after. It is most likely he wrote after, somewhere between A.D. 85 and 95.

The most probable place of writing is Ephesus. This is John's traditional sphere of ministry and the indication from his letters to the Asian churches in Revelation 2-3.

Until Revelation 1 the New Testament does not indicate the whereabouts of John after his position in Jerusalem spoken of in Acts 1-8 and Galatians 2:9. However, tradition places him in Ephesus during the later years of his life. Thus the letter was probably written to a group of churches in John's acquaintance in the province of Asia. This is supported by the destination of the letters in Revelation 2-3 written by John to the churches in Asia. The readers are clearly Christians (2:12-14,21; 5:13) who have known John for some time (2:7,24; 3:11).

John writes out of pastoral concern for his "children" who are threatened and confused because of false teachers (2:18-23). The nature of their heresy is disputed. However, it seems it focused on the person and work of Christ. John makes frequent reference to the certainty of the incarnation of Christ (1:1-3; 4:2-3; 5:6). He also is careful to explain the basis of eternal life through Christ's work (1:7; 2:2; 3:16; 4:10,14). Many believe the heresy was similar to Docetism, which denied the reality of the incarnation of Christ. This teaching was propagated in the first century by Cerinthus. This could explain the arguments for Christ's incarnation and the emphasis on His physical death on behalf of sinners.

It is also apparent that John's concern for the readers' moral condition exceeds his concern for the doctrinal threat. However, the two were related with false doctrine undermining the readers' assurance in their Christian experience (5:13) and producing moral laxity. John gives numerous tests by which the readers can discern the Christian experience and spiritual orientation of themselves and others (eg. 2:10; 3:7,8,14,24; 4:15). He also encourages the readers to continue in love (3:14-15; 4:7-11), to obey the commandments (2:3-4; 3:22; 5:3), to behave righteously (3:10,17-18) and to have a healthy attitude toward sin (1:8-10; 3:4-9; 5:16- 17).

John's purpose is gathered from the several purpose statements indicated by "These things I have written to you . . . ." These statements show that he wrote to fulfill the readers' joy by giving them full assurance (1:4), to keep them from sin (2:1), to guard them from the false teachers (2:26) and to assure them of their eternal life (5:13). John's primary purpose is to keep the readers from moral failure. Therefore he must also write to assure them of their salvation. But to do this he must guard them from the false teaching undermining their assurance. Thus John offers tests whereby the spiritual orientation of the false teachers and others may be evaluated. He also offers a theological refutation of the Christological errors being taught. Finally, he encourages the readers to moral purity.

The epistle develops cyclically with John first discussing the Christian's walk in the light (1:5-2:29) and then the Christian's walk as a child of God (3:1-5:13). Under each section he mentions the basis for such a walk before proceeding with a series of assurances for the walk.

The introduction (1:1-4) first sets forth the apostle's authority by virtue of his eyewitness testimony to Christ's incarnation and life (1:1-2). John then states his purpose for writing (1:3- 4). He wants the readers to share in the apostolic fellowship of truth concerning Christ. This will also assure them of their relationship shared with God and Christ. Having this assurance, their joy will be full. Evidently, their assurance and their joy had suffered under the influence of the false teachers who denied the humanity of Christ.

John's first section concerning the Christian's walk in the light (1:5-2:29) begins with a statement of the basis for such a walk. The basis of walking in the light is the fact that God is light (1:5-7). The condition for fellowship with God is thus a walk in the light, or moral purity (1:6-7). John then discusses four tests or assurances from which his readers can discern the truthfulness of the experience for themselves and others (1:8-2:29). These may be tests of eternal salvation or tests of one's spiritual orientation.

The first assurance comes from the repudiation of sin (1:8-2:2). Those rightly related to God in truth will recognize and confess their sin (1:8-10). John's overriding concern is stated in 2:1-2: he does not want his readers to sin, but if they do, they should avail themselves of the provision of Christ's advocacy with the Father. Here John also defends the propitiatory work of Christ as effective for all.

The second assurance concerns the practice of obedience (2:3-11). Only those who obey God's commandments are from the truth (2:3-6). John's concern is that his readers keep the commandment they heard before from him (2:7-8), evidently, the commandment to love one another (2:9-11). The truthfulness of the spiritual experience of the false teachers or anyone else (third person pronouns) is manifested by their love or lack of love.

The third assurance comes from one's victory over the world (2:12-17). John reminds the readers directly (second person pronouns) that they are positioned for victory over the world and the devil by virtue of the fact that their sins are forgiven, they know God and the Word of God dwells in them (2:12-14). From this basis he appeals for separation from the world (2:15- 17). Love of the world and love of God are mutually exclusive (2:15). Perhaps the false teachers were characterized by worldliness and were diverting the readers' affections away from God and toward worldly things.

The fourth assurance is largely doctrinal and concerns correct beliefs about Jesus Christ (2:18-29). John delivers a stern warning about the presence of antichrists who deny that Jesus is the Christ (2:18-23). The readers know the truth and should be able to recognize a lie (2:20-21). Those who deny the Son's incarnation have no part in the Father (2:22-23). John moves from a warning to an appeal intended to guard the readers against deception (2:24-27). He wants them to remain in the apostolic doctrine of Christ as they learned "from the beginning" and thus enjoy the promise of eternal life (2:24-25). John explains that he is trying to prevent their deception, yet expresses confidence that they will be kept in the truth by the Holy Spirit (2:26-27). As they remain in Christ and His truth, they will have confidence at His appearing (2:28-29). His mention of those "born of Him" serves as a transition to the discussion of the children of God.

John's second half of the epistle concerns the believer's relationship to God as a child and the resulting walk as God's child (3:1-5:13). He begins by declaring that the basis of the walk as children of God is the fact that God is the believer's Father (3:1-3). This relationship to God assures of future glorification which is a motivation for moral purity in this life. This explanation shows the relationship of assurance to moral diligence. John wants them to be assured in their Christian experience so they will be morally pure. He addresses five assurances for the believer which follow much the same pattern as those discussed in the first section.

The first assurance is gained from a repudiation of sin (3:4-9). The practice of sin is totally contrary to Christ's person and work (3:4-5). Therefore, those who are characterized by sin demonstrate an ignorance of Christ and an allegiance with Satan. But those who practice righteousness demonstrate the divine nature obtained from their birth into God's family (3:6-9).

John's second assurance comes from the practice of obedience which he narrows to obedience to the premier command to love (3:10-24). He argues that love is necessary in distinguishing one's affiliation to God or Satan and in evidencing eternal life (3:10-15). The manifestation of true obedience in love lies not in words but in deeds (3:16-18). The presence of love in a person assures of being in the truth, brings confidence before God so that prayers are answered and assures of union with Christ (3:19-24). Obviously, the false teachers lack the love of which John speaks. A third assurance relating to their walk as children of God is from their victory over the world (4:1-6). The antichrist teachers are of the world because they do not believe that the Christ is embodied in Jesus (4:1-3). But the assurance to the readers is that they hold a correct view of Christ (4:2) and Christ in them overcomes worldly teachers and doctrine by enabling them to discern between truth and error (4:4-6).

The fourth assurance comes through the manifestation of God's love (4:7-21). John's appeal for mutual love is based on the nature of God's love as manifested in the gift of His Son to pay for sins (4:7-12). Faith in Christ confirms this love in believers (4:13-16). John thus inseparably links the reality of love to the necessity of faith in Christ as the Savior from sin. It is impossible to have one without the other. The presence of such Christian love gives confidence at the Judgment Seat of Christ (4:17-18). Furthermore, John shows that the love of God necessarily results in love for others (4:19-21). The false teachers lacked love for others which evidenced their separation from the true doctrine of Christ and its accompanying love for God.

The final assurance comes from correct beliefs about Christ (5:1-13). The results of faith in Jesus as the Christ are the manifestation of love for God and others, obedience to God's commandments and victory over the world (5:1-4). There are witnesses to the reality of one's faith in Christ (5:6-12). Externally, the Spirit witnesses to the incarnation of Christ as Jesus (5:6-9) while internally, the indwelling Spirit assures of eternal life according to the testimony of God about His Son (5:10-12). John explains that his purpose in writing is to give his readers the assurance that they have eternal life through their faith in Christ so that they will remain in Him (5:13).

The conclusion of the letter contains some final assurances and convictions relevant to his readers (5:14-21). First, John explains the confidence available from effective prayer (5:14-17). Prayer according to God's will receives answers (5:14-15). Specifically, the readers can pray for the the deliverance of those deceived by the false teachers into erroneous doctrine and immorality, both of which produce spiritual deadness (5:16-17). John closes with a triumphant statement of some certainties in the Christian life (5:18-20). Those who belong to God have victory over sin, are positioned for victory over the world and are in the truth in Christ. The final warning against idolatry (5:21) appeals to the readers to keep separate from the false teachers influencing them because false teaching, like idolatry, compromises with evil and sets God up in its own image.

John's concern for his spiritual children is that they continue to walk in moral purity. But to accomplish this end, he must reestablish their confidence in their relationship to God by providing criteria by which they may discern genuine Christian experience. The criteria for assurance are both doctrinal and practical. By taking note of one's beliefs and behavior it will be evident to the readers who is of God and who is not. This will protect them from deception.

1. The Introduction 1:1-4

   1. The substance of the apostolic declaration 1:1-2

      1. The eyewitness testimony to the Word of life 1:1
      2. The historic manifestation of the Word of life 1:2
   2. The purpose of the apostolic declaration 1:3-4

      1. The readers' realization of fellowship 1:3
      2. The readers' realization of joy 1:4
2. Our Walk in the Light 1:5-2:29

   1. The basis of walking in the light: God is Light 1:5-7

      1. The declaration that God is light 1:5
      2. The condition for fellowship in the light 1:6-7
   2. The assurance of walking in the light 1:8-2:29

      1. The assurance from our repudiation of sin 1:8-2:2

         1. The confession of sin 1:8-10
         2. The provision for sin 2:1-2
      2. The assurance from our practice of obedience 2:3-11

         1. The test of obedience to God's commandments 2:3-6
         2. The reminder of the old and new commandments 2:7-8
         3. The test of love 2:9-11
      3. The assurance from our victory over the world 2:12-17

         1. The position of victory over the world 2:12-14
         2. The appeal for separation from the world 2:15-17
      4. The assurance from our beliefs about Christ 2:18-29

         1. The deception of antichrist 2:18-23
         1. The warning about antichrists 2:18-19
         2. The assurance from knowledge of the truth 2:20-21
         3. The doctrinal test for antichrists 2:22-23
         2. The defense against deception 2:24-27
         1. The appeal to abide in the truth 2:24-25
         2. The assurance from the anointing 2:26-27
         3. The confidence from abiding in Christ 2:28-29
3. Our Walk as Children of God 3:1-5:13

   1. The basis of walking as children of God: God is our Father 3:1-3

      1. The realization of present sonship 3:1
      2. The assurance of future glorification 3:2
      3. The purifying effect of this future hope 3:3
   2. The assurance of walking as children of God 3:4-5:13

      1. The assurance from our repudiation of sin 3:4-9

         1. The implications of practicing sin 3:4-5
         2. The contrast of those who do and do not sin 3:6-9
         1. The contrast in their practice 3:6-7
         2. The contrast in their origin 3:8-9
      2. The assurance from our practice of obedience 3:10-24

         1. The necessity of obedience through love 3:10-15

            1. In distinguishing affiliation 3:10-12
            2. In evidencing eternal life 3:13-15
         2. The manifestation of obedience through love 3:16-18

            1. The basis of the obligation to love 3:16
            2. The example of the lack of love 3:17
            3. The exhortation to practice true love 3:18
         3. The assurance from the presence of love 3:19-24

            1. The assurance of being in the truth 3:19-20
            2. The assurance of answered prayer 3:21-22
            3. The assurance of union with Christ 3:23-24
      3. The assurance from our victory over the world 4:1-6

         1. The charge to test the spirits 4:1
         2. The criterion for testing the spirits 4:2-3
         3. The assurance of our victory 4:4-6
         1. From the divine indwelling 4:4
         2. From the discernment of truth and error 4:5-6
      4. The assurance from our manifestation of God's love 4:7-21

         1. The nature of God's love 4:7-16
         1. Its assuring value 4:7-8
         2. Its manifestation through Christ 4:9-10
         3. Its obligation to one another 4:11-12
         4. Its confirmation through faith in Christ 4:13-16
         2. The confidence from God's love 4:17-18
         3. The evidence of love for God 4:19-21
         1. The basis of love for God 4:19
         2. The profession of love for God 4:20
         3. The proof of love for God 4:21
      5. The assurance from our beliefs about Christ 5:1-13

         1. The results of faith in Christ 5:1-5
         1. Love revealed in saving faith 5:1
         2. Love revealed in obedience 5:2-3
         3. Victory over the world through faith 5:4-5
         2. The witness to our faith in Christ 5:6-12
         1. The external witness of the Spirit 5:6-9
         2. The internal witness of the Spirit 5:10-12
         3. The assurance from our faith in Christ 5:13
4. The Conclusion 5:14-21

   1. The confidence of effective prayer 5:14-17
   1. The assurance about prayer according to God's will 5:14-15
   2. The assurance about prayer for a sinning brother 5:16-17
   2. The certainties of the Christian faith 5:18-20
   1. The certainty of victory over sin 5:18
   2. The certainty of our contrast with the world 5:19
   3. The certainty of our relation to the truth in Christ 5:20
   3. The caution about idols 5:21