I. INTRODUCTION (1:1–4)
II. GOD IS LIGHT AND THERE IS NO DARKNESS IN HIM (1:5—3:10)
A. How to Have Fellowship with God (1:5—2:2) – “God ls light” is key statement for 1:5—3:10
Summary Statement: Light (1:5)
1. Fellowship with God Is Fellowship in Light (1:5–7)
1:6—2:1 begin a series of “if” clauses. These divide into pairs of “If we say” followed by a negative statement that possibly represents the claims of the secessionists and their results (vv. 6, 8, 10). Other pairs are “but if we” (1:7), “if we” (1:9), “and if” (2:1). These are positive statements that reflect the counter claims of the author.
The three negative apodoses are intended to bring out the implications of following the opponents teaching. The three positive apodoses statements are intended to bring out the implication of following orthodox (apostolic) teaching of the author.[1]
a) Claim #1 – Those in Darkness (1:6)[2] b) Counter-claim #1 – Cleansed (1:7)[3]
2. Fellowship with God is Fellowship Absent from Sin (1:8—2:2)
a) Claim #2. – Those in Deception (1:8) b) Counter-claim #2 – Confessing (1:9)
c) Claim #3 – Those Who Defame God (1:10) d) Counter-claim #3 – Conquering (2:1a)
B. How We Have Intimate Knowledge of God (2:3–11). This section has three requirements to have intimate knowledge of God. “The one who says” ho legon / ὁ λέγων at the beginning of 2:4, 6, 9 are three participles— are claims that indirectly reference the claim of John’s opponents. Each of these claims draw on the immediately preceded theme. For example, 2:4a is from 2:3, 2:6a is from 2:5, 2:9a from 2:8
1. By Keeping His Word (vv. 3–5) – Obedient Love
2. By Walking as Jesus Walked in His Light (vv. 6–8) – Abiding Love
3. By Loving His Brothers (vv. 9–11) – Light Love
C. How We Have a Relationship with God (2:12–17). This section gives John’s readers assurance that they are known by God. In this section John is addressing his readers with words of assurance.
1. By Being God’s Children, Not Children of the Evil One (vv. 12–14). These three verses assure John’s readers of their salvation.
2. By Loving His Father, and Not the World (vv. 15–17). These three verses urge John’s readers to reject an evil love of the world.
D. How to Maintain that Relationship in the Future (2:18–27). This section gives strong concerns of the secessionist opponents.
1. An Anti-Christ is Coming (vv. 18–19)
2. An Anointing Has Occurred (vv. 20–23)
3. An Abiding to What Was Taught (vv. 24–26)
4. An Appeal to Continue in What Was Taught (v. 27)
E. How to Be Prepared for the Coming of Christ (2:28—3:10)
1. Abide in Him and Practice Righteousness (2:28–29)
2. Purify Yourselves in Preparation for Purity (3:1–3)
3. Practice Righteousness While Purging Evil from Your Life (3:4–8)
4. Born of God Means Being a Good Person (3:9–10)
III. WE ARE GODLY AND THERE IS NO DARKNESS IN US (3:11—5:12)
A. Commands for Love (3:11–24)
1. Love One Another Thoughtfully (vv. 11–12)
2. Love One Another Tangibly by Sacrificing and Giving (vv. 13–17)
3. Love One Another Tenaciously by Keeping God’s Commands (vv. 18–24)
B. Cautions for Life (4:1–6)
1. How to Test Spirits (vv. 1–3)
2. How to Listen to God (vv. 4–6)
C. Conditions for Godliness (4:7—5:4a)
1. God’s Character of Love (4:7–10)
2. God’s Command of Love (4:11–16a)
3. God’s Continual Love (4:16b–19)
4. God’s Children of Love (4:20—5:4a)
D. Characteristics of God (5:4b–12)
1. Task and the Work on Christ (vv. 4b–8)
2. Testimony and The Witness of God Concerning the Son (vv. 9–12)
IV. CONCLUSION (5:13–21)
A. Assurance of Christian Life that Is Eternal (5:13)
B. Applications of Christian Life That Is Eternal (5:14–21)
1. Consistent Prayer and Omission of Sin (vv. 14–17)
2. Birth of God and Distance from Evil (vv. 18–21)
Gnosticism. Denied the essential truth of the incarnation that Christ came in the flesh. It saw matter as evil and spirit as good. They believed in the deliverance of the flesh by acquiring knowledge. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word, ginoscow, “to know.” This doctrine of Gnosticism is combatted in 1 Jn 2:22; 4:3. The Gnostics believed that since all matter was evil, Jesus did not come in the flesh. Thus, they rejected the doctrine of Jesus as the god-man. It is possible, based on 1 John 1:6, 9, that the Gnostics believed they had achieved a level of sinlessness. Or like some later Gnostics, that they believed the sins they committed were not sinful.[4]
Docetism. Believed Jesus’ humanity was not real. Said Jesus only appeared to have a physical body. Comes from Greek word, dokeo, “to seem” or “to appear.” It was a branch of Gnosticism. Also rejected the incarnation. Believed the Christ—who was good—could not become flesh because flesh was bad. Also combatted in 2:22; 4:3. They said Jesus only appeared to be a man or only seemed to be a man. Was taught by Saturnius who said Jesus was without birth, without body, and without figure.
Cerinthianism. Taught that Jesus was only a man, that the divine Christ descended on Jesus at baptism, that the divine Christ left Jesus at crucifixion. Possibly combatted in 2:23ff; 5:6. Cerinthus was an Egyptian man that came to Ephesus and was an opponent of John.[5]
Genre of the Letter
You might have noticed this letter is not a typical NT letter like Paul, Peter, James, Heb, Jude, or 1/2 Jn.
1 Jn does not conform to the normal structure of New Testament letters. There’s no greeting, no personal name, no thanksgiving, no conclusion/introduction.
Audience of the Letter People that were part of the church, in Ephesus within Asia Minor. See 1 Jn 2:12–14, 20–21, 27; 3:1–2, 13, 18; 4:1, 4, 7, 11; 5:13. But some have left the church (Jn 2:18–19, 22; 4:3).
[1] Harris, 1, 2, 3 John, 60–61.
[2] Claim titles are from MacArthur, 1, 2, 3 John, 28–30.
[3] Counter-claim titles are from MacArthur, 1, 2, 3 John, 36–41.
[4] Keener, Bible Background Commentary, 708.
[5] Carson & Moo, Introduction to the NT, 679.
[1] This outlined is based on the structure of 1 John articulated in W. Hall Harris’s commentary, 1, 2, 3 John: Comfort and Counsel for a Church in Crisis, 2nd edition (Biblical Studies Press, 2003).