1 John

The First Letter of John  

Title: St. John (unlike St. Paul, St. James, or St. Peter) does not name himself (cp. 2  & 3 John, where he uses “elder” as an authorship title). The author identification come from three “source”: (1) language similarities to the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation; (2) themes of the letter are similar (if not identical) to the Gospel of John; (3) testimony of the Church.          

Date of writing: The honest answer is we don’t know. TLSB follows the older tradition putting AD 85 – 95. I agree with those who believe that the NT was completed before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD. IMHO – it was written rather early for the Jerusalem messianic (Christian) community right after the Pentecost (cp. 2:20) and before the initial trials fell upon the Church.            

Structure: (by William Ramey )

A. 1:1-4, Manifestation of Messianic Age Life

 B. 1:5 – 2:2, Three Witnesses to a Believer’s Life

  C. 2:3-11 Believer’s Love for One Another

   D. 2:12-17, Believer’s Victory over the World

    E. 2:18-27, AntiChrist

     F. 2:28-29, Believer’s Confidence before the Son

      G. 3:1-3, Believer’s true Nature Revealed in the Future

       H. 3:4-10, The Source of Righteousness and Sin

      G’. 3:11-18, Believer’s true Nature revealed in the Present

     F’. 3:19-24, Believer’s Confidence before the Father

    E’. 4:1-3, The False Prophets

   D’. 4:4-6, Believer’s Victory over the World

  C’.4:7 – 5:5, Believer’s Love for One Another

 B’. 5:6-12, Three Witnesses to Jesus’ Life

A’. 5:13-21, Acquisition of Messianic Age Life

Main themes:

True testimony about the Word of Life.

Confidence in the love of God.

Love as the basis for relationship with One Another.

Spiritual discernment – recognition of the antichrist and false prophets.

Main Characters: I or We,

Then, “You”:

  Little children (used 8 or 9 times). 

  Beloved

Also “them”:

  Of the World, led by the spirit of error.

  Children of the devil.

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: It is very interesting that St. John does not come up with a quote from the OT. The single reference to the previous stories is naming of Cain (3:12). At the same time his letter is full of allusion to the writings of both Old and New Testament (to name a few):

  The beginning

  Being “children of God”

  Commandments          

Lutheran teaching: Just one example: 1 John 1:7 is a very important verse for the discussions that preoccupy the Formula of Concord: the relationship of a person in respect to the original sin (FC SD I:45); how faith relies on God (FC SD III:57); discussing the person of Christ (FC SD VIII:59); the universal promise of the Gospel (FC SD XI:28).    

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 573 – Lord, ‘Tis Not that I did Choose Thee (1 John 4:10, 19)

LSB 948 – All Glory be to God Alone (1 John 2:2)

Relevancy of the Book: Sometimes with the flow of time we tend to believe that the world has changed (for better or worse). We can observe the technological advancement of our society and the changes in the types of government. On the other hand, the rule of Love which strives to obey God holds the same authority. We still need to recognize the false prophets and resist “the children of devil” walking in light. Also, the foundation for our forgiveness – the propitiation by the blood of Jesus – never can be replaced. We confess our sins and we are forgiven for the sake of His sacrifice.        

Memory verses: 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.