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.
