Courtesy of James Earl Jones(Bible Audio)1John
Chapter 1-3
Background:It is probable that the writer of this letter and 2 and 3John was also the writer of the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. It is clear that the Christians to whom he wrote 1 John were worried by teachers of strange ideas. They were saying they had special understanding of spiritual matters.This meant claiming to be perfect on the one hand, and that Jesus could not have been a real man on the other.In reply John stresses the certainty that Christians have:"we know"is a favorite phrase.One of the clear proofs that people are Christians is that they love other Christians.
Chapter 1-3
Chapter 4-5
Background:It is probable that the writer of this letter and 2 and 3John was also the writer of the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. It is clear that the Christians to whom he wrote 1 John were worried by teachers of strange ideas. They were saying they had special understanding of spiritual matters.This meant claiming to be perfect on the one hand, and that Jesus could not have been a real man on the other.In reply John stresses the certainty that Christians have:"we know"is a favorite phrase.One of the clear proofs that people are Christians is that they love other Christians.
Author:John the Beloved disciple of Jesus Christ
Date: c.AD85-95,probably sometime after the Gospel of John,see John
Location:See John.1Jn was probably a circular letter to believers throughout the ROman province of Asia +the 7 churches of Rv2,3
Purpose:To reassure them that through Jesus they have eternal life(5:13)and can enjoy fellowship with God and with fellow believers(1:3,4)
Unique Features:
-no salutation or signature
-no direct OT quotations
-highlights 3 characteristics of God:
=He is light(1:5)
=He is righteous(2:29)
=He is Love(4:8,16)
-John was known as the beloved disciple(Jn13:23),but also a"Son of Thunder"(Mk3:17).This letter,with its gentleness and severity,justifies both names:
=addressing readers as"my dear children"
=yet was adamant in warning of apostasy and in maintaining the division between the absolute light of God and the absolute darkness of the Devil and his works(1:5)
-it contains perhaps the bible's best and most concise description of worldliness(2:15-17)
Comparison:
Ge:Jn,1JN:All "Begin at the beginning"but differently:Gen,with creation;Jn,1Jn begin before Creation,with the pre-existent word
John:Both contain specific statements of the author's purpose of writing(1:1-4);1Jn,supplements John in his efforts to strengthen believers in their faith
Abbreviations:1Joh./Jhn./Jo./Jn
MV:Ps31:23
Bib1Yr:Jas5Your
Riches
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