Instead of a formal, john adopts a virtual address compare 1 john 1. Commentary on the gospel of john chapter 1 by cooper abrams. And 1 john has been given to us to help encourage us to, in fact, love. This account of jesus life is clearly set off from the other three gospels see synoptic gospels, although it is probable that john knew and used both mark and luke as sources. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John was an eyewitness of the reported occurrences though, as he himself writes john 1. The apostle john begins with the purpose of writing this letter by stating, i am writing these things to you. Everyone who loves has been born of god and knows god. It is written by the discipleapostle john around 8595 a.
Every spirit that acknowledges that jesus christ has come in the flesh is from god, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge jesus is not from god. The apostle john begins with the purpose of writing this letter by stating, i am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. Light and love found their upmost development on the cross of calvary. Commentary on the book of 1 john relevant bible teaching. The first epistle of john, often referred to as first john and written 1 john or i john, is the first. John recognized that love comes from god, and he encouraged the believers to love one another 1 john 4. It is not the natural love of the world for its own john 15. This account of jesus life is clearly set off from the other three gospels see synoptic gospels, although it is probable that john knew. This is why he is proclaiming christ so that the entirety of his readership may have fellowship with him v. About one in every 50 words is a form of lovethat makes for about 52 mentions of love in just five short chapters. Book of first john overview insight for living ministries. No other book of the bible talks about love as often as first john.
Since the bible tells us that god himself is love 1 john 4. The writer steps back into the background, behind the message of god. This summary of the book of 1 john provides information about the title, authors, date. This love takes into consideration first of all the. There are many passages that i could have based this talk on, but i. A free bible version and commentary johns first letter in easyenglish. This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his son jesus christ, and love one another, just as he. The assurances from the presence of love, 1 john 3.
We must love one another because god is love and he showed it by sending his son as the propitiation for our sins. Love needs an object, and since there was a time before anything was created, there was a time when the only love in the universe was between the members of the godhead. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Each book also addresses deceivers, teachers who no longer acknowledge that jesus is the messiah or son of god. The gospel of john is probably the book that has been written last of all the books of the bible. John calls followers of jesus to share in gods own life and love by devoting themselves to loving. List of books and articles about gospel of john online. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love god, whom they have not seen.
The following statements we find in first john only. John remained fully faithful to his friend and lord. Both characteristics of god stand always in total agreement to each other. Johns emphasis on love among the people of god shown in passages like 1 john 2. Share how john says that fear and love work along with each other. If we are going to be like him, these verses are important to us because they tell us much about him and our responsibilities. To wish joy to the reader was the ancient customary address. God has put a desire for relationship in every one of us, a desire he intended to be met with relationships with other people, but most of all, to be met by a relationship with him. Written by john the elder to house church believers, 1 john, 2 john, 3 john echo the gospel of john. The main themes of the epistle are love and fellowship with god. After jesus returned to heaven, father john spent decades caring for the young church, leading them according to the way and the truth, and reminding them to love one another, for love is from god 1 john 4. John encourages believers that jesus was jehovah god who had come in the flesh, that god is light and he encourages christians to walk in the light by keeping his commandments, and the main commandment was to love god and love one another. John 1 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. Johns first epistle teaches that while it is important to recognize the lines between truth and error, it must always be done in a spirit of love.
The first speaks of gods holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of his grace and. But he also heard jesus pray, sanctify them in the truth. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in. Watch our overview video on the letters of john, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
By this we know that we love the children of god, when we love god and obey his commandments. Church tradition consistently identifies john in his. In the beginning of all time and created existence, for this word gave it being john 1. But one chapter has become famous as the love chapter. John was there when jesus prayed that his disciples would be one, that the world would know that the father sent him john 17. Love needs an object, and since there was a time before anything was created, there was. That is what he does at the end of verse 8 when he says, god is love. After jesus returned to heaven, father john spent decades caring for the young church, leading them according to the way and the truth, and reminding.
John with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. This letter brings special teaching on jesus as the light, life, and love. John was urging, the love that has its source in god. Its purpose was to warn about the increasing threat of false teachings and to reassure christians of their faith and love in jesus christ. Toward the end, the author states that the purpose is to show that jesus is the messiah, the son of god. For permission to reproducedistribute these resources from steve cole including the word document and audio files found on the individual lesson pages below please see bible. As an eyewitness to the love and power displayed in the miracles of jesus, john gives us an upclose and. From wedding ceremonies to inspirational posters, the love chapter has become one of the most famous chapters in the bible. This is how we know that we love the children of god. The gospel of john was written to prove that jesus christ is the son of god. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. The love john speaks of in 1 john has specific meaning. The elder an appellation suited to a familiar letter. The gospel of john is the only gospel that explicitly mentions why it was written.
It differentiates between happiness, which is temporary and fleeting, and true joy, which 1 john tells us how to achieve. In the beginningof all time and created existence, for this word gave it being john 1. It explains the fellowship we have with others and with jesus christ. The name of the author of the gospel of john is not mentioned as is the case with the three synoptic gospels as well. Here is a summary and commentary on first john chapter two. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. This is why he is proclaiming christ so that the entirety of his readership. This love the apostles write about comes from god and is not normally a part of mans nature.
John insists that love is defined, first and foremost, by god he insists that love is defined, first and foremost, by god, not by me and not by the world. Whoever claims to love god yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. This love takes into consideration first of all the spiritual wellbeing of men. From beginning to end, the bible is a book about love by an author who is love. There are many passages that i could have based this talk on, but i chose 1 john 4. The book of 1 st john is a general epistle apostolic letter. John expressed the purpose for his writing in each of the three types of revelation.
They were fully revealed in christ, the son of god. See what great love the father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of god. John is sometimes referred to as the apostle of love. John evidently wrote his gospel first, then his epistles, and finally the book of revelation before his death about a. John states the commandment and gives the reason for it 4. John encourages believers that jesus was jehovah god who had come in the flesh, that god is light. This summary of the book of 1 john provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 john. If love is of god, then those who claim to be born of god, and claim to know god, must be able to love one another in the body of christ. A verse that is obviously reminiscent of what john wrote in his gospel in john 3. He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. Book of 1 john read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Gospel according to saint john, fourth book of the new testament. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. The key personalities are the apostles peter and paul.
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father, jesus christ the righteous. The first speaks of gods holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of his grace and mercy. Love does not mean that we set aside the truth for the sake of unity. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. According to tradition this very special gospel was written at the very end of the first century ad. They emphasize that god is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate gods light and love. The contents and the structure of this gospel presuppose the readers familiarity with the three synoptic gospels. John s first epistle teaches that while it is important to recognize the lines between truth and error, it must always be done in a spirit of love. The writer steps back into the background, behind the.
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