1 John Introduction
The book of 1 John was written by the apostle John to encourage believers and protect them from false teachings. Some people were denying the truth about Jesus, especially that Jesus Christ truly came in the flesh as the Son of God. John reminds believers that this truth is not only about what Jesus did in the past, but also about His living presence in believers now. Jesus truly came in human flesh, overcame sin in the flesh, and now comes by His Spirit to dwell in our flesh, so His life, love, righteousness, and victory can be revealed in us. This letter shows that true Christianity is not only about saying we believe, but also about walking in the light, obeying God, loving one another, and having assurance of eternal life through the Son of God.
Chapter 1
John begins by declaring that Jesus, the Word of life, was real and truly came in the flesh. The apostles heard Him, saw Him, looked upon Him, and touched Him. This shows that Jesus was not just an idea, a vision, or a spiritual appearance, but truly manifested from the Father in real human life. John then explains that true fellowship with God means walking in the light, because God is light and there is no darkness in Him. If we say we have fellowship with God but continue walking in darkness, we are not living in truth. But if we walk in the light and confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Chapter 2
John writes to believers as his little children and reminds them that Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father when we sin. He teaches that knowing God is shown through obedience to His commandments, not merely by words. Those who claim to know God but do not keep His commandments are not walking in truth. John also warns believers not to love the world or its desires, because the world is passing away, but the one who does the will of God abides forever. He also warns about antichrists, especially those who deny that Jesus is the Christ and deny the Father and the Son. Believers must continue in the truth they received from the beginning and abide in the Son and in the Father.
Chapter 3
John shows the great love of the Father, that believers are called children of God. Because we belong to God, our lives should reflect His character. A true child of God does not continue practicing sin as a way of life, but seeks to walk in righteousness. John contrasts the children of God with the children of the devil: those who practice righteousness and love their brothers show that they are born of God, while those who hate and live in unrighteousness show the opposite spirit. The chapter ends by giving the simple commandment of God: believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.
Chapter 4
John warns believers not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone into the world. The true Spirit of God confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, while the spirit of antichrist denies this truth. This means we must confess that Jesus truly came in human flesh, but also that Christ now comes by His Spirit to dwell in believers. The gospel is not only Christ outside of us or Christ in history, but Christ in us, the hope of glory. John then focuses strongly on love, teaching that love comes from God because God is love. The greatest proof of God’s love is that He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Since God loved us first, we also ought to love one another.
Chapter 5
John concludes by emphasizing that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the victory that overcomes the world. John explains that God Himself has given testimony concerning His Son, and this testimony is that eternal life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. John also encourages believers to have confidence in prayer, knowing that if we ask according to God’s will, He hears us. He finishes by reminding believers that they are protected by God, that they know the true God through His Son Jesus Christ, and that they must keep themselves from idols.