In the light of the above, it is probably best to describe 1 John as a circular letter intended for believers in specific congregations with whom the author had a close relationship. The letter serves first to reassure the readers and then to affirm and strengthen them in their adherence to a set of beliefs and an agreed pattern of life, both of which were being challenged by those who had themselves parted company with traditional beliefs and patterns of life and who were now seeking to persuade