Bible Dictionary
John, First Epistle of
The First Epistle of John declares the apostolic witness concerning the Word of Life and calls believers to fellowship with God. It emphasizes Christ’s atoning work, obedience, holiness, faith, purity, and love.
Definition
The First Epistle of John is a general Christian letter that declares the Word of Life and calls believers into fellowship with the Father and the Son. It teaches that communion with God rests on Christ’s atoning work and advocacy and is evidenced in holiness, obedience, purity, faith, and love.
Biblical Usage
The epistle presents Christ’s atoning sacrifice and advocacy as the ground of union with God. It calls believers to walk in holiness, obey God, maintain purity, believe in Christ, and love one another.
Historical Background
The supplied material identifies John the evangelist as the author and places the letter probably at Ephesus, when he was advanced in age.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The fourth of the catholic or “general” epistles. It was evidently written by John the evangelist, and probably also at Ephesus, and when the writer was in advanced age. The purpose of the apostle (1:1-4) is to declare the Word of Life to those to whom he writes, in order that they might be united in fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. He shows that the means of union with God are, (1) on the part of Christ, his atoning work (1:7; 2:2; 3:5; 4:10, 14; 5:11, 12) and his advocacy (2:1); and (2), on the part of man, holiness (1:6), obedience (2:3), purity (3:3), faith (3:23; 4:3; 5:5), and love (2:7, 8; 3:14; 4:7; 5:1).