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1 John
General Letters and Revelation · Doctrinal study

1 John: That Ye May Know

A letter on fellowship, assurance, and the signs of a faith that is real

Theologica Editorial7 min read
At a Glance

1 John in Brief

The aged apostle John wrote this letter like a loving father. He wanted believers to be sure of what they had, and to be able to tell the truth from error.

  • Author. John the apostle. He writes as one who heard and saw the Lord: which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes (1 John 1:1). The style and themes match his Gospel: light, life, love, and truth. The early churches received the letter as his.
  • Date. About AD 85 to 95, probably from Ephesus in Asia Minor, where early tradition places John in his later years.
  • Written To. Believers in the churches under his care, whom he calls My little children (1 John 2:1).
  • Setting. Teachers had left the church, denying that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh (1 John 2:18–22; 1 John 4:2–3). Their leaving shook the believers who remained.
  • Key Verse. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
  • Key Word or Theme. Know. John uses it again and again. He also returns to fellowship, light, love, and abiding.

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Further reading

For Deeper Study

  • Be RealAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA plain study of 1 John on fellowship, honesty, and assurance.
  • Exploring the Epistles of JohnAmazon John PhillipsA commentary on all three letters of John by a dispensational Bible teacher.
  • The Letters of JohnAmazon John R. W. StottA well-loved Anglican commentary (Tyndale). We differ on some points of church and sacrament, but it is warm, careful, and strong on Christ.
  • Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.

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