This document provides an introduction to the First Epistle of John, including information about its authorship, date, place of writing, purpose, and outline. It was likely written by John the Apostle around 90 AD from Ephesus to Christians throughout Asia Minor. Its purpose was to address the heresy of Gnosticism, which questioned the incarnation of Jesus and ethical living. The letter emphasizes themes of light and darkness, love, truth, and righteousness. It contains contrasts to distinguish between children of God and children of the devil. The outline provided divides the letter into 6 sections covering topics like fellowship, conduct, faith in Christ, and concluding affirmations.

1. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

2. INTRODUCTION TO
THE FIRST LETTER OF JOHN
Author: John Date: 90
Authorship Though it is generally agreed that the
same person wrote the gospel of John and these epistles,
some feel that they were not written (as traditionally held)
by John the apostle, the son of Zebedee, but by another
John (the elder or presbyter, 2 John 1; 3 John 1. It is
argued that (1) an uneducated man (Acts 4:13) could not
have written something so profound as this gospel; (2) a
fisherman’s son would not have known the high priest as
did John the apostle; and (3) an apostle would not have
called himself an elder. But “uneducated” did not mean
illiterate, but only without formal training in the rabbinic
schools; some fishermen were well-to-do (cf. Mark 1:20);
and Peter, though an apostle, called himself an elder (1 Pet.
5:11). Further, if John the elder is the “beloved disciple” and
the author of the gospel, why did he not mention John the
son of Zebedee, an important figure in the life of Christ, in
that gospel? Every evidence, points to John the elder being
the same as John the apostle and the author of this letter.
Date and Place of Writing Strong tradition says that
John spent his old age in Ephesus. Lack of personal
references in this letter indicates that if as written in
sermonic style to Christians all over Asia Minor (much like
Ephesians). It was probably written after the gospel and
before the persecution under Domitian in 95, which places
its writing in the late 80s or early 90s.
Gnosticism The heresy of Gnosticism had begun to
make inroads among churches in John’s day. Among its
teachings were: (1) knowledge is superior to virtue; (2) the
nonliteral sense of Scripture is correct and can be
understood only by a select few; (3) evil in the world

3. precludes God’s being the only Creator; (4) the incarnation
is incredible because deity cannot unite itself with anything
material such as a body (Docetism); and (5) there is no
resurrection of the flesh. The ethical standards of many
Gnostics were low, so John emphasized the reality of the
incarnation and the high ethical standard of the earthly
life of Christ.
Contents The letter, show John’s obvious affection for
his “little children” and concern for their spiritual welfare.
The book is filled with contrasts – light and darkness (1:6-
7; 2:8-11) love of world and love of God (2:15-17); children
of God and children of the devil (3:4-10); the Spirit of God
and the spirit of Antichrist (4:1-3); love and hate (4:7-
12,16-21).

4. Outline of First John
I. Introduction: The Purpose of the Letter,
1:1-4
A. The Incarnation of the Word of Life
1. The Word of Life: What was heard, seen, and touched
II. Conditions for Fellowship, 1:5-2:2
A. Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
1. Conformity to a Standard, 1:5-7
a. God is Light (v 5), so walk in the Light (v 7)
2. Confession of Sin: Christ our Advocate, 1:8-2:2
III. Conduct in Fellowship, 2:3-27
A. The Character of Our Conduct – Imitation, 3-11
1. The Test of Knowing Him
a. God’s Commands: Those who know Christ obey His
commandments
B. The Commandment for Our Conduct – Separation, 12-
17
1. Reasons for Writing: Encouragementand Assurance, 12-14
2. A Warning about theWorld: Do Not Love the World, 15-17
C. The Creed for Our Conduct – Affirmation, 18-27
1. Warning Concerning Antichrists - Live in Christ
a. Deceptions of the last hour, 18-23
b. Remaining with God: Let truth abide in you, 24-27

5. IV. Characteristics of Fellowship, 2:28-3:24
A. In Relation to Our Prospect: Purity, 2:28-3:3
1. God’s Children
B. In Relation Our Position: Righteousness and
Brotherly Love, 4-18
1. Love One Another
a. God is Love (3:16; 4:8,16), so Love one Another
C. In Relation to Our Prayers: Answers, 19-24
V. Cautions of Fellowship, 4:1-21
A. Concerning False, Lying Spirits, 1-6
1. The spirit of truth and the spirit of error
a. How to recognize the Spirit of God
B. Concerning a True, Loving Spirit, 7-21
1. God Is Love (vv 8,16): God’s Love Lives in His People
a. Knowing God through love, 7-11
b. Seeing God through love, 12-16
a. The consummation of love, 17-19
b. Obedience by Faith (Keeping God’s commandments), 20-
21
VI. Consequence of Fellowship, 5:1-21
A. Faith in the Incarnate Son of God: Those Who Believe
in Jesus Are God’s Children, 1-12

6. 1. Overcoming the World
a. Love for the Brethren, 1-3
b. Victory over the World, 4-5
c. Testimony concerning the Son of God: God has given us
Eternal Life in the Son, 6-12
B. Concluding Affirmations: This Is Written That You
May Know, 13-21
1. Assurance of Eternal Life, 13
2. Guidance in Prayer (Effective Prayer), 14-17
a. Confidence and compassion in prayer
3. Freedom from Habitual Sin (Our Assurance of Eternal Life),
18-21
a. Knowing the true – rejecting the false
Source: The RYRIE Study Bible – New International Version by Charles
Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., New International Version – (NIV), New King
James Version – (NKJV), GOD’S WORD Translation – (GW), Holman
Christian Standard Bible – (HCSB), English Standard Version – (ESV), New
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13. 1.2 Bible Hub
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14. 2. Commentaries
2.1 Matthew Henry Complete
Bible Commentary
1 John
1 John 1 1 John 2 1 John 3
1 John 4 1 John 5

15. 2.2 The Wiersbe Bible Commentary
The Wiersbe Bible Commentary : New Testament

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17. 4. Hymn “Yes I Know”
GOD IS LIGHT - Light and Darkness / Sin, Confession and Forgiveness: The
Blood of Jesus Takes My Sins Away (First Epistle of John, Chapter 1)
4.1 Hymn: “Yes I Know”
http://www.holypal.com /profiles/blogs/god-is-light-light-and-darkness-sin-confession -and-forgiv eness
4.2 Hymn: “Yes I Know”
http://transformingresearch.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salvation-god-is-light-john-chapter-1 -him n-y es-i-know

18. 5. Daily Bible Reading
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