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1:1–4 First John is concerned with false teaching that denied Jesus’ incarnation and the atoning significance of His death and resurrection. The content of the letter indicates that its author was acquainted with his audience and likely had authority over them.

First John’s opening does not include the author’s name, though early church tradition attributes this letter and the Gospel of John to John the apostle (compare John 13:23 and note). It also is possible that the author of 1 John is responsible for 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation, though this affiliation was less certain in the early church period. If the apostle is responsible for 1 John, it most likely was written toward the end of the first century ad to believers in Asia Minor (where John spent his later years).

In First John, John addresses a community divided in its beliefs about Jesus’ identity. John begins his sermon-like letter by stating his view: Jesus is the incarnation of the preexistent Word, possessing true humanity and divinity (see John 1:1–2 and note).

Introduction to 1 John

The Gospel of John and the Johannine Letters

How to Study the Bible

1:1 What was from the beginning As in John’s Gospel, John begins this letter with the Word—the embodiment of God’s revelation in the person of Jesus (John 1:1; compare Gen 1:1).

John immediately states his thesis: Not only was Jesus from the beginning (eternal), He also was able to be heard, seen, and touched (He was human). This belief separates the community John addresses from those who withdrew from them (see 1 John 2:19 and note).

1 John 1:1–4 Letters and Homilies (Vol. 1)

we John is referring either to himself only, or to himself and other eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry.

John may be using a plural (“we”) rather than a singular (“I”) for rhetorical purposes; this is often called the editorial “we.”

the word of life Refers to Jesus, who is eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 3:16–17; 14:6).

John

John the apostle, also called the evangelist, was a fisherman. He was mending nets with his brother James when Jesus called them to follow Him (Mark 1:19–21). If John is the disciple “whom Jesus loved” in John’s Gospel, then he was one of the few people who stayed with Jesus at His crucifixion. In addition, this would make John the one who began caring for Jesus’ mother, Mary (John 19:25–27).

1:2 the life was revealed Eternal life is revealed to humanity in the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

This echoes John 1:14, where the Word—who was with God and was God—becomes flesh and dwells with humanity as Jesus. This is a life-giving proclamation (compare 1 John 3:5, 8; 4:9).

1:3 may have fellowship with us John is writing to address a division in the community of believers. This community might have been located in Ephesus, where the Apostle John resided near the end of his life.

These believers encountered false beliefs about the identity of Jesus from secessionists—literally those who “went out from us” (see 2:19 and note). This group had separated from the church and was now negatively influencing those who remained in the church community. John aims to prevent further division.

Koinōnia Word Study

John (Disciple), Ecclesiastical Tradition AYBD

1:4 our joy may be complete It will be complete by ensuring the health of this Christian community that John loves.

1:5–10 After his opening remarks (vv. 1–4), John exhorts his audience to exhibit the attributes of God, honoring Jesus’ ministry.

1:5 from him Refers to Jesus.

God is light A common metaphor in the ot and Jewish literature for God’s perfection (e.g., Psa 4:6; Isa 60:1–2). God’s light serves as a beacon for the righteous and leads others to Him (see Psa 27:1).

darkness Serves as a metaphor for sin, unrighteousness, and wickedness (see 1 John 2:8–11; compare 1 Cor 6:14–7:1).

1:6 walk in the darkness Someone truly in relationship with Jesus will live by the principles He proclaimed.

we lie Throughout the letter, John contrasts telling lies with telling the truth. He declares that God is true, while those he calls “antichrists” are false (see 1 John 2:18 and note).

1:7 fellowship with one another Relationships based on Jesus must be centered on the presence of God in a person’s life and Jesus’ atoning work; this is the basis for John’s concerns about the Christian community.

cleanses us from all sin Jesus’ death is sacrificial and clears away the sin of those who believe in Him, which makes a relationship with God possible. The concept of atonement, which is derived from the ot (see Lev 16:30), is a common theme throughout the letter (see 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

Atonement in the New Testament AYBD

Day of Atonement AYBD

Atonement

1:8 we do not have sin Every person should admit to themselves and God that they are sinful (compare Rom 3:23). John’s opponents apparently claimed that they did not sin and therefore did not need to be cleansed.

For John, the position of his opponents is the ultimate form of self-deception, since it prevents a person from accepting the truth of their sinful nature (see 1 John 2:10–14). By contrast, true believers are defined in terms of their admission of sinfulness and need for Christ’s sacrifice (see v. 9).

1:9 confess our sins Confession of sin opens a person to the work of God within them, relinquishing the power of sin over their life through the power of Jesus (2:1; compare 3:8). John is not suggesting that the act of confession is required for salvation. God does the saving work; people cannot save themselves (2:12; John 3:16–17). Instead, confession opens a person to the work of the Holy Spirit, leading to the removal of sinful behaviors and desires (1 John 3:24).

Confessing sin to God is the opposite of declaring a lack of sin (v. 8). When sins are declared, God’s work has the opportunity to replace sin in the life of a Christian (compare note on Col 1:22).

he Refers to God, who will forgive us through the atoning death of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

faithful Meaning that God is true to the agreement He made with His people, which established the true cost of sin (Deut 7:9; Jer 31:31–34; compare Lev 4–5).

just God demonstrates this attribute by carrying out His promise of bringing people into relationship with Him through Christ’s sacrificial death (compare Isa 53:10–12).

forgive When people admit that they are sinful, God honors His word by both forgiving them and giving them the power to overcome sin.

1:10 we make him a liar When someone claims to have not sinned, they also are, in essence, rejecting God’s statements about sinfulness and denying the need for Jesus’ sacrifice.

	About Faithlife Study Bible Faithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text.
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