INTRODUCTION
When Jesus came to earth, He came not only to live a life, but to give life…
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.†– John 10:10b NASB
- A. THE AUTHOR – There is evidence that points to the apostle John as the author. As always, this comes in two forms. First is internal evidence, or evidence derived from the writing style and word choices of 1 John when compared to other writings of the same author. Second is external evidence, or evidence derived by the testimony of others.
- 1. Internal Evidence: There are many similarities between the epistle and the Gospel of John. These similarities are in style, but also in word choice and theme.
- Parallels between 1 John and the Gospel of John
- 1 John 1:1…………………John 1:1,4,14
- 1 John 2:5…………………John 14:23
- 1 John 2:6…………………John 15:4
- 1 John 2:8; 3:11…………John 13:34
- 1 John 2:8,10…………….John 2:5,9; 11:10
- 1 John 2:13, 14………….John 17:3
- 1 John 3:1…………………John 1:12
- 1 John 3:2…………………John 17:24
- 1 John 3:8…………………John 8:44
- 1 John 3:13……………….John 15:20
- 1 John 4:9…………………John 3:16
- 1 John 4:12……………….John 1:18
- 1 John 5:13……………….John 20:31
- 1 John 5:14……………….John 14:14
- 1 John 5:20……………….John 17:2
- 2. External Evidence: Many early church fathers wrote about the authenticity of 1 John and/or quoted 1 John in their writings.
- a.Polycarp, a close associate and disciple of John, makes references to the epistle in a letter to the Philippians (2nd Century).
- b.Irenaeus, a student of Polycarp, quoted from it, while stating that it was John the apostle’s epistle.
- c.Origen said, “John, beside the gospel and Revelation, has left us an epistle of a few lines. Grant also a second, and a third; for all do not allow these to be genuine.”
- d.It is found in the old Syriac version, probably made in the first century, though the second and third epistles are not there.
- e.The genuineness of the first epistle was never extensively called in question, and it was never reckoned among the doubtful or disputed epistles.
- 3. About the Author:
- a.The early life of John is written in the gospel accounts. Some highlights include being called a ‘Son of Thunder’, asking to be on the left or right hand of Jesus when he returned, and asking to call down fire from Heaven. Also remember that John was present at the cross and took care of Mary per Jesus’ request.
- b.There are two stories about the Apostle John in his later life that could provide some insight into the apostle John. The first story is about an old, but vigorous man that goes to all lengths to return a lost sheep to the fold. The second story is about an old, but presumed senile man that holds the key to life.
- B. THE RECIPIENTS
- 1.No one is specifically mentioned
- 2.John may have been in Ephesus at the time, and that this was a general epistle to Christians throughout Asia Minor.
- 3.It may have been written to the church in Ephesus, where he spent many years.
- 4.John may have been addressing a particular group of Christians possessing certain spiritual gifts. (1 John 2:20,27)
- C. DATE
- 1.Estimations range from 60 A.D. to 100 A.D.
- 2.Most modern scholarship places it around 95 A.D., but there are also good reasons for believing it was written prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
- 3. Clues we have that point towards the date of this letter are few and inconclusive:
- a.The author says that he and the recipients are in the ‘last days’ (1 John 2:18).
- b.It is evident that the letter was written AFTER the Gospel of John.
- c.It appears to have been written by someone of great age, thus the use of phrases such as ‘little children’.
- D. THEMES
- 1.Jesus came in the flesh. (1 John 1:1-4, 2:20-25, 4:1-6, 5:1-12)
- 2.Sin and Forgiveness expressed through the concept of the children of God. (1 John 1:5-2:2, 2:28-3:10, 5:13-21)
- 3.Believers should love one another. (1 John 2:7-11, 3:11-24, 4:7-21)