1st Letter of John
in a Nutshell
1st Letter of John
in a Nutshell
Embedded Files
in a Nutshell
The First Letter of John is a pastoral and theological message written to a community facing division and confusion about the identity of Jesus and the meaning of true faith. Traditionally attributed to the apostle John, the letter emphasizes the reality of Jesus as both fully God and fully human, and it calls believers to walk in truth, love, and obedience. The themes of light, love, and assurance run throughout this heartfelt appeal for spiritual clarity and integrity.
John opens by declaring what he and other eyewitnesses have seen and touched, the Word of Life, Jesus Christ. He writes so that believers may have fellowship with God and with one another, and that their joy may be complete. He emphasizes that God is light, and those who walk with Him must walk in the light, confessing sin and striving to live righteously rather than pretending to be without fault.
A central theme of the letter is the inseparable connection between belief and behavior. Those who truly know God will obey His commands, love others, and reject sin. John warns against loving the world and reminds believers that those who practice righteousness are born of God, while those who live in persistent sin show they are not walking in the truth. He offers assurance to believers that they have eternal life if they hold to the truth about Jesus.
False teachers had arisen, denying that Jesus came in the flesh, and promoting distorted views of Christ and Christian liberty. John refers to them as “antichrists” and urges believers to remain in what they heard from the beginning. The presence of the Holy Spirit within them, the anointing, teaches them and confirms the truth.
The letter repeatedly calls believers to love one another, for “God is love.” This love is not just words but demonstrated in action, modeled after Christ who laid down His life. John teaches that perfect love casts out fear, and those born of God will reflect His love in their relationships. 1 John concludes with strong encouragement: believers can know they have eternal life, keep themselves from idols, and remain in the true God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
Greek Scriptures
Greek Scriptures
(New Testament Books)
Outline to 1 John
Outline to 1 John
I. Prologue: The Word of Life Manifested – 1 John 1:1–4
A. The Apostolic Testimony of Christ – 1 John 1:1–2
B. The Purpose: Fellowship and Joy – 1 John 1:3–4
II. Walking in the Light – 1 John 1:5–2:27
A. God Is Light—Live Without Darkness – 1 John 1:5–7
B. Confession and Cleansing from Sin – 1 John 1:8–10
C. Jesus Christ, Our Advocate – 1 John 2:1–2
D. Knowing God by Obedience – 1 John 2:3–6
E. A New Commandment: Love One Another – 1 John 2:7–11
F. Encouragement to Believers of All Maturity Levels – 1 John 2:12–14
G. Warning: Do Not Love the World – 1 John 2:15–17
H. Warning: Beware of Antichrists – 1 John 2:18–23
I. Remain in the Anointing – 1 John 2:24–27
III. Living as Children of God – 1 John 2:28–4:6
A. Confidence at Christ’s Coming – 1 John 2:28–29
B. The Privilege of Being God's Children – 1 John 3:1–3
C. Turn from Sin to Righteousness – 1 John 3:4–10
D. Love One Another, Not Like Cain – 1 John 3:11–18
E. Reassurance of God’s Presence – 1 John 3:19–24
F. Test the Spirits – 1 John 4:1–6
IV. God Is Love – 1 John 4:7–5:12
A. Love One Another, for Love Comes from God – 1 John 4:7–12
B. Assurance Through the Spirit – 1 John 4:13–16
C. Love Casts Out Fear – 1 John 4:17–21
D. Love and Obedience Prove New Birth – 1 John 5:1–5
E. The Witness About Jesus Christ – 1 John 5:6–12
V. Final Affirmations and Warnings – 1 John 5:13–21
A. Confidence in Prayer – 1 John 5:13–15
B. Sin Leading to Death – 1 John 5:16–17
C. God’s Protection from the Evil One – 1 John 5:18–20
D. Final Warning: Guard Yourselves from Idols – 1 John 5:21
Hebrew Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures
(Old Testament Books)
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