STUDIES
IN THE EPISTLE
OF
FIRST JOHN
Bob Buchanan
INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLE OF FIRST JOHN
I. The inspired AUTHOR of the book of FIRST JOHN
A. It is noted that the NAME of the author is NOT FOUND in the epistle of First John.
We recall that this is also true concerning the book of HEBREWS.
B. Beginning COMMENTS:
1. The epistle of First John is very SIMILAR to the GOSPEL OF JOHN in its
“vocabulary,” “style.” “thought,” and “scope” (Westcott, p. xxx, xxxi).
a. For example, we can see this similarity by comparing First John 1:1-4
with the GOSPEL of John 1:1-18.
b. CONSIDER also that the GREEK text of First John is perhaps the
EASIEST to translate and understand of any in the New Testament.
First John, Second John, and Third John together only have about
303 different Greek words, and most of these are common words
(Marshall, page 2). The GOSPEL of John also contains the Greek
that is easier to understand. This is also true concerning John’s writing in the book of REVELATION.
2. POLYCARP, who is dated about 120-140 A. D. and is thought to have been
associated with the apostle John, referred to I John 4:2, 3 and II John 7.
Note this quote from Polycarp:
"For everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an anti-Christ"; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the Cross is of the devil: and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord for his own lusts, and says that there is neither resurrection nor judgment, -- this man is the first-born of Satan” (Polycarp, “To the Philippians, 7, 1). (Underlining by this writer).
3. IRENAEUS, who wrote about 202 A. D., and who is thought to have been
associated with Polycarp, said that the following exhortation came from JOHN, the “disciple of the Lord:”
“For this reason also he has thus testified to us in his Epistle: "Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that Antichrist doth come, now have many antichrists appeared; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they departed], that they might be made manifest that they are not of us” (Against
Heresies, III, 16, 5). Compare this to I John 2:18, 19, etc.
4. IRENAEUS also affirmed that JOHN wrote the GOSPEL of JOHN. He quoted
John’s statement, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us….”
(John 1:14), and he said that JOHN wrote this Scripture concerning Jesus’ INCARNATION (Against Heresies, I, 9, 2).
5. IRENAEUS also asserted that JOHN wrote his GOSPEL during the time he
lived at EPHESUS in ASIA (Against Heresies, III, 1, 1).
6. From the material given above, it seems evident that the APOSTLE JOHN
is the inspired author of the GOSPEL of John as well as I, II, and III John.
Much more information from EARLY WRITERS is available concerning
this topic, and can be accessed on the INTERNET.
II. DATE of WRITING of the EPISTLE OF FIRST JOHN
A. It has been suggested that the epistle should perhaps be dated in the last decade of
the first century (Westcott, page xxxii).
B. It has also been suggested that somewhere in the period 60-90 A. D., the epistle may
have been written by JOHN (Marshall, page 48).
C. The false teacher, CERINTHUS lived and taught during this period, and some writers
believe that John was speaking of him as he spoke of those who were “antichrist,”
and those who did NOT BELIEVE that Christ had come “in the flesh” (I John
2:2:18-22; 4:2).
D. Note this QUOTE from Eusebius in his “Ecclesiastical History” (4, 14, 6). He lived
from approximately 260-341 A. D. Whether this event below actually happened, we
cannot say.
“And there are those that heard from him that John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe in Ephesus and seeing Cerinthus within, ran out of the bath-house without bathing, crying, ‘Let us flee, lest even the bath fall, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.’”
NOTE INFORMATION ON CERINTHUS BELOW
III. The RECIPIENTS of the epistle of FIRST JOHN
A. There is NO CLEAR INDICATION in the epistle concerning the Christians to whom
John was writing.
B. There is a clear indication among early writers that JOHN spent the last years of his
life in the area of the City of EPHESUS.
C. It is possible that John was writing churches in the western part of ASIA MINOR
where the center was EPHESUS (Barclay, pages 19, 20).
IV. The PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES when FIRST JOHN was written:
A. FALSE TEACHING had evidently caused a MAJOR CRISIS among congregations.
1. Some members had LEFT THE CHURCH (I John 2:19).
2. It is thought that these false teachers were the beginning movement of the
GNOSTICS who became quite strong in the SECOND CENTURY.
3. They evidently claimed that they had “FELLOWSHIP” with God, and were
“without sin” (I John 1:6-10).
4. The false teachers said that they “KNEW” GOD (I John 2:4).
5. However, NOTE that John taught that HE and his “BELOVED” “LITTLE
CHILDREN” were the ones who had TRUE “KNOWLEDGE.” Read the
following verses that contain the phrase, “WE KNOW:” (I John 2:3, 5;
3:14, 16, 19, 24; 4:13; 5:2).
6. This false teaching denied that Jesus is the CHRIST, the SON OF GOD,
and also DENIED that Christ had come “in the flesh” (I John 2:22; 4:2; 5:1, 5; See also II John 7).
7. Is it possible that they saw NO NEED to OBEY GOD? Note I John 2:4.
B. The following things are UNCERTAIN:
1. It is NOT mentioned in First John that they denied the RESURRECTION.
However, see II Timothy 2:17, 18.
2. Whether they were IMMORAL is not mentioned. But, John encouraged the
disciples NOT to “love the world” (I John 2:15-17).
3. They apparently claimed some kind of “superior” knowledge. John stated that
his brothers had NO NEED to be taught something else (I John 2:20, 27).
C. The FALSE TEACHING, which John described in First John, is similar to that of
GNOSTICISM. This teaching became quite strong in the second century
(Roberts, page 9).
1. Gnosticism was seen in some JEWISH GROUPS, and early Gnosticism of the
first century is referred to in I Corinthians, the Prison Epistles and in the
epistles to Timothy and Titus.
2. The word, “GNOSTICS” comes from the Greek word, “gnosis” which means
“KNOWLEDGE.”
3. They claimed that they had a “superior” knowledge which was supposedly
given to certain disciples by Christ, and which others were NOT privileged
to have.
4. They taught that man’s SPIRIT is GOOD, but that his “FLESH” is EVIL
a. This caused some to become ASCETIC which meant that they treated
their physical bodies quite HARSHLY. See also Colossians 2:22,
and those who “forbid marriage” and advocate “abstaining from foods” which is noted in First Timothy 4:1-5.
b. However, some taught that, because the “spirit” of a man is good, he
can permit the sinful flesh to indulge in whatever it desired. This caused immorality.
QUESTION: Would II Timothy 3:1-5 describe these people?
5. They taught that the “Divine spirit” which was breathed into man kept him
from being completely EVIL.
6. They also taught that AT BAPTISM, a “SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION” took
place, and, therefore, there would be NO PHYSICAL RESURRECTION
of the dead. Because they taught that the physical body is EVIL, they would
also REJECT the future RESURRECTION of the physical body. Would
I Corinthians 15:12 describe this teaching?
Consider this QUOTE from Irenaeus, an early writer about 202 A. D., concerning Menander, the supposed successor of SIMON of Samaria::
“He affirms that the primary Power continues unknown to all, but that he himself is the person who has been sent forth from the presence of the invisible beings as a saviour, for the deliverance of men. The world was made by angels, ……He gives, too, as he affirms, by means of that magic which he teaches, knowledge to this effect, that one may overcome those very angels that made the world; for his disciples obtain the resurrection by being baptized into him, and can die no more, but remain in the possession of immortal youth. “ (Irenaeus,
“Against Heresies,” I, 23, 5). (Underlining by this writer).
7. Gnosticism taught that, AT DEATH, the human “spirit” returned to the
“SPIRIT WORLD” called the “pleroma” (fullness)
8. They also taught that the SUPREME GOD did NOT create the universe,
but, instead, ONE out of a large number of “LOWER BEINGS” was the “creator.” Please discuss how Colossians 1:14-17 would SPEAK
AGAINST this teaching.
9. As a summary, consider that there were basically THREE TYPES of
GNOSTICS:
a. The GNOSTICS who were “ASCETIC.” They practiced the harsh
treatment of the body, forbidding marriage, etc. Note again Colossians
2:22, I Timothy 4:1-5. The book of First John does NOT really speak of this type.
b. The GNOSTICS who were “LIBERTINE.” Because they taught that the
physical body is evil, the Gnostic can permit the body to satisfy its
desires in any possible way. Because they claimed “special knowledge,” is it possible that they were seeking the “deep things of Satan?” (Revelation 2:24). John said that “God is light” and “in Him, there is “no darkness at all” (I John 1:5).
c. The third type of GNOSTICS wanted to be a truly “spiritual” person
who had attained real “MATURITY” and were “above sin.” Perhaps, John was opposing this in I John 1:7-10. (Barclay, pages 9-17).
D. The teaching of CERINTHUS who was mentioned above:
1. This false teacher was influencing people in the LATTER PART of the FIRST
CENTURY.
2. He taught that the DIVINE CHRIST descended on the HUMAN JESUS at His
BAPTISM and LEFT HIM BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION. Therefore, he
taught that the DIVINE, supernatural CHRIST did NOT SUFFER!
3. Consider the following QUOTES by an early writer who opposed this teaching:
“Cerinthus, again, a man who was educated in the wisdom of
the Egyptians, taught that the world was not made by the primary God,
but by a certain Power far separated from him, and at a distance from
that Principality who is supreme over the universe, and ignorant of
him who is above all. He represented Jesus as having not been born of
a virgin, but as being the son of Joseph and Mary according to the
ordinary course of human generation, while he nevertheless was more
righteous, prudent, and wiser than other men. Moreover, after his
baptism, Christ descended upon him in the form of a dove from the
Supreme Ruler, and that then he proclaimed the unknown Father, and
performed miracles. But at last Christ departed from Jesus, and that
then Jesus suffered and rose again, while Christ remained impassible,
inasmuch as he was a spiritual being.”
(Irenaeus, “Against Heresies,” I, 26, 1)
4. In BOTH the gospel of John and the epistles of John, an emphasis is placed upon
the truth that JESUS CHRIST CAME IN THE FLESH (John 1:14; I John
4:2, 3; II John 7).
E. A similar teaching was the fakse teaching of the “DOCETISTS”
1. They influenced people in ASIA MINOR in the early part of the Second Century.
2. The word, “Docetists” comes from the Greek word, “dokei” which means
“IT SEEMS!”
3. They taught that Christ did NOT SUFFER and DIE for the sins of mankind,
BUT, that it just “SEEMED,” or it just “APPEARED” that He SUFFERED.
4. Please note the QUOTE:
“Stop your ears, therefore, when any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and ate and drank. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified, and [truly] died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father will so raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life.”
(Ignatius, To the Trallians, 9) (Ignatius was martyred during Emperor Trajan’s reign, 98-117 A. D.)
V. GREAT EMPHASES and LESSONS found in the Epistle of FIRST JOHN:
A. GOD is “LIGHT” (1:5) and GOD is “LOVE,” (4:8, 16) and this LOVE caused Him
to SEND HIS SON (4:7-10).
B. A detailed DESCRIPTION of JESUS CHRIST:
1. He was from “the beginning” (1:1; 2:14). Note Jesus’ “PRE-EXISTENCE”
(John 1:1-3; 8:58; 17:5; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3, etc.).
2. He is the “SON OF GOD” (4:15; 5:5)
3. He is the “MESSIAH,” the “CHRIST” (2:22; 5:1)
4. Jesus Christ BECAME “FLESH” (4:2, 3; 1:1, 3). He was “SEEN,” “HEARD,”
and “TOUCHED!” He then LAID DOWN His LIFE for us (3:16)
5. He was WITHOUT SIN, but came to “TAKE AWAY SIN!” (3:5). See also
John 1:29
6. He is our “ADVOCATE” (“Paraclete”) with the Father, our “Helper,” our
“Defending Attorney” (2:1)
7. He is the “means” of our atonement (“Propitiation,” “Expiation”) (2:2; 4:10)
He restores man’s relationship with God!
8. He is “SAVIOR” (4:14). Read also John 4:42.
9. OUT OF ALL OF THE ABOVE, the believer has “LIFE” (4:9; 5:11, 12).
C. The HOLY SPIRIT in First John. The Holy Spirit is proof that the Christian
“abides” in the Lord (3:24).
D. The “WORLD” is “HOSTILE” to the disciple of Christ
1. The “WORLD” “does not know us” (3:1)
2. The “WORLD” “hates” the Christian (3:13)
3. The “WORLD” “listens to” the “ANTICHRIST” (4:4, 5)
4. The “WHOLE WORLD” is in the power of the “EVIL ONE” (5:19)
5. The “FAITH” of the disciple OVERCOMES the “WORLD” (5:4)
6. “DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD” nor the things that are in the WORLD
(2:15-17)
E. There is WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP with one another in the Lord’s CHURCH
1. Observe the “FELLOWSHIP” with “one another” (1:7)
2. The one who “abides in light” will LOVE HIS BROTHER! (2:9-11)
3. In a real sense, HATING a BROTHER in Christ is considered equivalent to
MURDER (3:15)
4. God LOVES US and so we should LOVE OUR BROTHERS (4:7-12)
F. GOD is RIGHTEOUS, and His CHILDREN must be RIGHTEOUS (2:29)
1. Those who are BORN of God DO NOT CONTINUE in sin (3:3-10)
2. The RIGHTEOUS person will LOVE HIS BROTHER (3:10-12)
3. The RIGHTEOUS will keep GOD’S COMMANDS
a. When we LOVE GOD, we will LOVE OUR BROTHER, and we will
KEEP GOD’S COMMANDS (5:2)
b. The one who “KNOWS GOD” will OBEY HIS COMMANDS (2:4-6)
______
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE OF FIRST JOHN
I. INTRODUCTION or Prologue to the Epistle of John (I John 1:1-4)
SECTION ONE (I John 1:5-2:17)
II. FELLOWSHIP with GOD, and the UNIVERSALITY OF SIN (1:5-2:2)
III. The NEED to “KNOW” THE LORD and OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS (2:3-11)
IV. John discussed his PURPOSE for writing the Epistle of First John (2:12-17)
SECTION TWO (I John 2:18-3:24)
I. John’s IDENTIFICATION of the FALSE TEACHERS (2:18-27)
II. The HOPE of BEING “LIKE” THE LORD which Christians have (2:28-3:3)
III. The “DUTIES” of those who have “PASSED OUT OF DEATH” into “LIFE” (3:4-24)
SECTION THREE (I John 4:1 - 5:12)
I. The FALSE TEACHERS are IDENTIFIED, and Christians are urged to CONFESS the
INCARNATION of Jesus and be SEPARATED from the WORLD (4:1-6)
II. LOVE is characteristic of God’s nature, and it also identifies those who BELONG
TO HIM (4:7-5:4)
III. FAITH in Jesus as the CHRIST leads to VICTORY over the WORLD (5:5-12)
SECTION FOUR (First John 5:13-21)
I. God has provided wonderful ASSURANCE of SALVATION (5:13-17)
II. The Christian’s CONFIDENCE on the basis of his FAITH and HOPE (5:18-20)
III. John’s CONCLUDING WARNING against IDOLATRY (5:21)
(Outline adapted from Roberts)
______
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF FIRST JOHN
1. The epistle of First John is SIMILAR to which GOSPEL ACCOUNT?
2. Give the names of at least TWO WRITERS of the second century who believed that
the apostle JOHN wrote the GOSPEL OF JOHN.
3. WHEN do scholars believe that FIRST JOHN was written?
4. Who are perhaps the DISCIPLES who RECEIVED the epistle of FIRST JOHN?
5. When FIRST JOHN was written, what were the existing CIRCUMSTANCES in the
church?
6. Discuss the FALSE TEACHING which John described in this epistle? What did it
teach?
7. This FALSE TEACHING was SIMILAR to which heresy that became prominent in
the second century?
8. Discuss the MAJOR “DOCTRINES” of this group.
9. Give THREE MAJOR TYPES OF “GNOSTICS.”
10. What is the ORIGIN of the word, “GNOSTIC?”
11. What were the major “doctrines” of the false teacher, CERINTHUS?
12. What is the ORIGIN of the word, “DOCETISTS?”
13. Suggest some of the GREAT LESSONS found in First John.
______
NOTES ON THE TEXT OF FIRST JOHN CHAPTER ONE
I. John’s INTRODUCTION -- A “PROLOGUE” (First John 1:1-4)
A. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:
1. Observe that the NAME of the AUTHOR is NOT GIVEN in First John.
2. As we noted in the “INTRODUCTION” to the epistle, considering JOHN the
apostle, son of ZEBEDEE as the inspired author is affirmed by:
a. The SIMILARITIES in this epistle to the GOSPEL OF JOHN such as
similarities in VOCABULARY, STYLE, EMPHASES, etc..
b. JOHN’S AUTHORSHIP was also affirmed by early writers. See again
the introduction above.
3. There are NO PERSONAL REFERENCES or GREETINGS in this epistle
directed to the READERS. However, there are several references which express the LOVE that JOHN had for his readers.
a. John called the readers “BELOVED” (I John 2:7; 3:2, 21; 4:1, 7, 11).
b. In several Scriptures in this epistle, John referred to his READERS as
“LITTLE CHILDREN” (I John 2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21).
Note also “CHILDREN” (2:18).
c. John also called his readers, “BRETHREN” (I John 3:13).
4. However, NOTE that SECOND JOHN was written to a “CHOSEN LADY” and
HER “CHILDREN” (II John 1), and THIRD JOHN was written to
“GAIUS” (III John 1).
5. First John is considered a “GENERAL” EPISTLE which was NOT written to any
SPECIFIC church or individual.
B. JESUS is the SUBJECT of the “PROLOGUE” (I John 1:1-4).
1. CONSIDER the following:
a. First John 1:1-4 is very SIMILAR to the GOSPEL of John (John 1:1-9)