WHO WROTE IT?: The Apostle John ... at the time of this writing John was the only of the original disciples / apostles left alive. He was therefore considered the ‘elder statesmen’.
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN?: John’s 1st letter was sent to reassure Christians in their faith & to counter false teachings.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?: This correspondence was probably written sometime between AD 85-90 from Ephesus.
WHO WAS IT FOR?: This particular letter is untitled, so we can assume that it was not written to any particular person or church. Apparently it was sent as a “pastoral” letter to several Gentile congregations.
The apostle John was an older man when he wrote this letter. He had not yet been banished to the isle of Patmos, where he would live in exile. As an eyewitness of Christ, he wrote with authority to give this new generation of believers assurance and confidence in God and in their faith.
John starts off his letter by listing his credentials as an eyewitness to the Incarnation & then revealed his reason for writing. He then presented God as “light”, which symbolizes absolute purity and holiness. John then explains how believers can walk in the light and have intimate fellowship with the Lord. He lets them know that should they sin; Christ is their advocate. The way John puts it sounds like he’s our lawyer when he uses the words “pleads our case” before God in chapter 2 verse 1. That’s what an advocate does. He represents us before the Father.
John then urges his readers to obey Christ without question and love all of God’s family. From all the Bible text is can see that being a Christian leaves no room for hate, resentment, bitterness, lying, arrogance and so on. Why is that? Because we’ve continuously been told to love one another and treat others the same way we’d like to be treated. We must learn to see others, whether saved or not, as God sees them. John then gives his readers a warning regarding “antichrists” and THE Antichrist who will try to persuade them away from God’s truth.
In the section of the letter from 1st John 3:1-4:21, John presents God as “love”. This is because of his giving, dying, forgiving, and blessing. He didn’t do it for himself, but for YOU!
God is the epitome of love; the only true and consistent example of perfect love in existence.
Perfect love is defined in the 13th chapter of Paul 1st letter to the Corinthian church. Because God loves us, he calls us his children and makes us like Christ thru the work of the Holy Spirit.
John warns of the false teachers who are lurking around looking for any opportunity to lead believers away from the truth with faulty teaching. We must reject these purveyors of falsehood and stay as close to God as we can, living in his love.
In the final portion of his letter, John presents God as “life”. God’s life is in his Son. To have his Son is to have eternal life.
Next we’ll take a look at the Mega Themes found in John’s 1st letter. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Source: The Life Application Study Bible.
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