1 John

Background Information: John the Apostle 

In order to understand author intent, we need to understand background about the author. In this instance, we will look at some of John the apostle’s biographical information in the Word of God to get a better grasp of who he is so we understand where he is coming from when writing the epistle of 1 John. 

First, let’s take a look at Matthew 4:18–22. What details can you glean from this about John? (Hint: Ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) 

Now read Luke 5:1–11. What additional details can you get from this passage about John that you did not see in the other passage? (Hint: Ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) 

John was not always the mature, loving disciple we might imagine. During Jesus’s earthly ministry, John and the other disciples sometimes struggled with pride, ambition, and a desire for prominence. As we examine these passages, consider how Jesus corrected and taught His disciples. 

What did Jesus refer to John as in Mark 3:17? 

In Luke 9:28–36, we see a significant event occur: the transfiguration. Jesus had taken Peter, John, and James up on the mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, His face became different, and Moses and Elijah appeared in glory. A cloud formed, and the Lord spoke and said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” Then Moses and Elijah were gone. 

How would you feel if you were chosen to witness something like this with Jesus Christ out of the 12 disciples? We are not told how John felt, but we do see a few interesting conversations occur after this. Read Luke 9:46–48 and Mark 9:33–37. Who was speaking here? What were they arguing about? (Hint: Ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) 

Now, read Mark 10:35–37. This is after the transfiguration. I recommend doing a longer study over this some other time. For now, I want you to see what they were asking of Jesus. (Hint: Ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) 

Love and fellowship are big issues John discusses throughout his letters. We will see how the Lord truly grew him in these areas into a man of God who could teach about them. Let that be an encouragement to you today!! How does the Gospel of John describe the disciple traditionally identified as John the apostle? (John 13:23; John 20:2; John 21:7, 20) 

John’s Ministry After the Resurrection 

(Pick only one of these if you’re short on time.) 

In this section, don’t spend too much time looking at the rest of the details. You need context, but I want your main focus to be what John did in his ministry. What did John do in this passage? 

• Acts 3:1–10 

• Acts 4:5–13 

• Acts 8:14–17 

• Galatians 2:1–10 

Paul had ministered extensively in Ephesus, where a church had been established through his ministry. In Acts 20, while traveling away from Ephesus, he summoned the elders to meet him in Miletus. Read Acts 20:27–31. What does Paul tell the elders/overseers to do and why? (Hint: Ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) 

It is believed that the situation addressed in John’s epistles reflects the kind of danger Paul warned about in Acts 20:27–31. Although Scripture does not explicitly identify John’s epistles as the fulfillment of Paul’s warning, the connection provides a helpful perspective for understanding the importance of John’s teaching. 

Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church that false teachers would arise, seeking to distort the truth and draw disciples away after themselves. When we study 1 John, we see John addressing serious concerns about false teaching, the identity of Jesus Christ, obedience to God, love for fellow believers, and assurance of eternal life. John MacArthur discusses this connection in his sermon, John the Apostle of Love. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/62-1/john-the-apostle-of-love 

The false teaching addressed in 1 John challenged essential truths about Jesus Christ and the Christian life. These teachings resemble some of the errors that later became associated with Gnosticism, although the precise identity and theological system of John’s opponents remain debated. John therefore emphasizes that genuine Christian faith cannot be separated from a right confession of Christ, obedience to God’s commands, and love for fellow believers (1 John 2:3–6, 18–23; 3:10–18; 4:1–6). 

As we study John’s letter, we will see how God uses truth and love together to protect His people from deception and strengthen their assurance in Christ. 

Outline 1 John

1. Test of Genuine Fellowship With God

a. Proper View of Jesus (1:1-4)

b. The Affirmation of the Reality of Sin (1:5-2:2)

c. Obedience to God’s Commands (2:3-6)

d. Love of the Brethren (2:7-27)

   i. Antichrists

1. They depart from the faithful

2. They deny the Father and the Son

3. They try to deceive the faithful

   ii. Response to deceivers (2:27)

e. Love & Obedience (2:28-3:3)

2. Testing the Validity of One Claiming to Be a Christian (3:4-5:21)

a. Christian’s Incompatibility with Sin (3:4-10)

b. Love (3:11-24)

c. Testing the Spirits (4:1-6)

d. Why Christians Love (4:7-21)

e. Christians Are Overcomers (5:1-5)

3. The Deity of Christ (5:6-12)

a. External (5:6-9)

b. Internal (5:10-12)

4. Certainties for Believers (5:13-21)

Outline from Dr. J. Vernon McGee:

I. God is LIGHT (1Jo 1:5), Chapters 1:1 — 2:2

A. Prologue, Chapter 1:1, 2

B. How the little children may have fellowship with God, Chapters 1:3 — 2:2

1. By walking in light, 1Jo 1:3-7

2. By confessing sin, 1Jo 1:8-10

3. By advocacy of Christ, 1Jo 2:1, 2

II. God is LOVE (1Jo 4:8), Chapters 2:3 — 4:21

A. How the dear children may have fellowship with each other by walking in love, Chapter 2:3-14

B. The dear children must not love the world, Chapter 2:15-28

C. How the dear children may know each other and live together, Chapters 2:29 — 4:21

1. The Father’s love for His children, 1Jo 2:29 — 3:3

2. The two natures of the believer in action, 1Jo 3:4-24

3. Warning against false teachers, 1Jo 4:1-6

4. God is love; little children will love each other, 1Jo 4:7-21

III. God is LIFE (1Jo 5:12), Chapter 5

A. Victory over the world, vv. 1-5

B. Assurance of salvation, vv. 6-21