Brief Summary:
False spiritual teachers were a big problem in the early church. Because there was not a complete New Testament that believers could refer to, many churches fell prey to pretenders who taught their own ideas and advanced themselves as leaders. John wrote this letter to set the record straight on some important issues, particularly concerning the identity of Jesus Christ.
Because John’s letter was about the basics of faith in Christ, it helped his readers reflect honestly on their faith. It helped them answer the question, Are we true believers? John told them that they could tell by looking at their actions. If they loved one another, that was evidence of God’s presence in their lives. But if they bickered and fought all the time or were selfish and did not look out for one another, they were betraying that they, in fact, did not know God.
That did not mean they had to be perfect. In fact, John also recognized that believing involved admitting our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness. Depending on God for cleansing from guilt, along with admitting our wrongs against others and making amends, was another important part of getting to know God.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
The Book of 1 John Summary
Summary of the Book of 1 John – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
First John 1:5–10 opens the main topic of John’s letter. God is entirely goodness and truth, and those who follow God cannot also follow evil and falsehood. John offers a pattern of “if” statements, comparing each to the truth. In particular, John mentions those who claim to be entirely free from sin, or to have never sinned. Such a belief is literally the opposite of the gospel. No person is sinless other than Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 1:7” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 1:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
Context Summary
First John 1:5–10 opens the main topic of John’s letter. God is entirely goodness and truth, and those who follow God cannot also follow evil and falsehood. John offers a pattern of “if” statements, comparing each to the truth. In particular, John mentions those who claim to be entirely free from sin, or to have never sinned. Such a belief is literally the opposite of the gospel. No person is sinless other than Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed explanation select the link below.
“1 John 1:9” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 1:9 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Context Summary
First John 1:5–10 opens the main topic of John’s letter. God is entirely goodness and truth, and those who follow God cannot also follow evil and falsehood. John offers a pattern of “if” statements, comparing each to the truth. In particular, John mentions those who claim to be entirely free from sin, or to have never sinned. Such a belief is literally the opposite of the gospel. No person is sinless other than Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 1:10” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 1:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Context Summary
First John 2:1–6 both encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others. Anyone who claims to have fellowship with Christ should live as if that is true.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 2:1” Bibleref.com.
What does 1 John 2:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 2:1
My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor[a] with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
Context Summary
First John 2:1–6 both encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others. Anyone who claims to have fellowship with Christ should live as if that is true.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 2:4 ” Bibleref.com.
What does 1 John 2:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 2:4
4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.
Context Summary
First John 2:1–6 both encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others. Anyone who claims to have fellowship with Christ should live as if that is true.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 2:5 ” Bibleref.com.
What does 1 John 2:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 2:5
5 But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him:
Context Summary
First John 2:15–17 is a warning from John about un-Christian attitudes. Other portions of this chapter discuss how behavior provides evidence of fellowship with God. Here, John explains that thoughts and desires do the same thing. Since these are temptations, it is possible for a true Christian to stumble into them. However, habitually displaying these is a cause for concern. Loving “the world” is defined here as physical lusts, lusts in one’s thoughts, and arrogant pride.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 2:15” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 2:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 2:15
15 Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.
Context Summary
First John 2:15–17 is a warning from John about un-Christian attitudes. Other portions of this chapter discuss how behavior provides evidence of fellowship with God. Here, John explains that thoughts and desires do the same thing. Since these are temptations, it is possible for a true Christian to stumble into them. However, habitually displaying these is a cause for concern. Loving “the world” is
defined here as physical lusts, lusts in one’s thoughts, and arrogant pride.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 2:16” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 2:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 2:16
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.
Context Summary
First John 3:4–10 strongly condemns sin, and leaves no excuse for it. While this warning is often interpreted as a ”litmus test” for salvation, John’s specific audience is actually Christian believers. Salvation is no excuse for sin, because all sin is from the Devil, not God. Sin always disrupts our ”walk” with God. And, those who only walk in sin and darkness cannot claim to be children of God.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 3:8” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 3:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 3:8
22 so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
Context Summary
First John 3:4–10 strongly condemns sin, and leaves no excuse for it. While this warning is often interpreted as a ”litmus test” for salvation, John’s specific audience is actually Christian believers. Salvation is no excuse for sin, because all sin is from the Devil, not God. Sin always disrupts our ”walk” with God. And, those who only walk in sin and darkness cannot claim to be children of God.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 3:9” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 3:9 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 3:9
9 Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him, and he can’t sin, because he is born of God.
Context Summary
First John 3:19–24 concludes chapter three by connecting our confidence in prayer with our obedience to God. While God’s love is unconditional, and His salvation is secure, His approval is based on whether or not we obey Him. Feelings of conviction are not only a sign that we are truly His children, they give us opportunity to correct our behavior. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, love is not only a primary command, it is a key sign of Christian belief.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 3:22” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 3:22 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 3:22
22 so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
Context Summary
First John 3:19–24 concludes chapter three by connecting our confidence in prayer with our obedience to God. While God’s love is unconditional, and His salvation is secure, His approval is based on whether or not we obey Him. Feelings of conviction are not only a sign that we are truly His children, they give us opportunity to correct our behavior. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, love is not only a primary command, it is a key sign of Christian belief.
For a more detailed explanation select the link below.
“1 John 3:23” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 3:23 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 3:23
23 This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.
Context Summary
First John 4:1–6 warns Christians not to blindly accept all spiritual claims. There are many false teachers in the world. It’s important to carefully consider both the source and the content of a teaching before we accept it. John gives several tests, though his comments are not meant to cover all possible concerns. Those who deny Christ, His humanity, or who reject the basics of the gospel, cannot be trusted.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 4:1” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 4:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 4:1
Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Context Summary
First John 4:1–6 warns Christians not to blindly accept all spiritual claims. There are many false teachers in the world. It’s important to carefully consider both the source and the content of a teaching before we accept it. John gives several tests, though his comments are not meant to cover all possible concerns. Those who deny Christ, His humanity, or who reject the basics of the gospel, cannot be trusted.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 4:5” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 4:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 4:5
5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.
Context Summary
First John 4:7–10 returns to the theme of love. Here, John explains how true, godly love in a person’s life is a sign of being born again. Those who truly love God will act on that love, towards other people. Those who don’t demonstrate love have no fellowship with God, at minimum. Love is something God showed us first, by sending Christ. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in His original love for us. We are again reminded that true love involves acting, not just feeling.
For a more detailed explanation select the link below.
“1 John 4:7” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 4:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 4:7
7 Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.
Context Summary
First John 4:7–10 returns to the theme of love. Here, John explains how true, godly love in a person’s life is a sign of being born again. Those who truly love God will act on that love, towards other people. Those who don’t demonstrate love have no fellowship with God, at minimum. Love is something God showed us first, by sending Christ. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in His original love for us. We are again reminded that true love involves acting, not just feeling.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 4:10” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 4:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 4:10
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Context Summary
First John 4:11–19 is the backbone of John’s letter. The primary way Christians are to be recognized is by love. This is not merely what we feel, but what we do for others. True, godly love is the most powerful evidence of being ”born again” as a child of God. This love comes from God, who loved us before we loved Him. When we live in obedience to God, according to love, we can be confident in our relationship with Him, and have no need to fear His judgment.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 4:15” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 4:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 4:15
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
Context Summary
First John 4:11–19 is the backbone of John’s letter. The primary way Christians are to be recognized is by love. This is not merely what we feel, but what we do for others. True, godly love is the most powerful evidence of being ”born again” as a child of God. This love comes from God, who loved us before we loved Him. When we live in obedience to God, according to love, we can be confident in our relationship with Him, and have no need to fear His judgment.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“1 John 4:18” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 4:18 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
Context Summary
First John 5:1–5 develops two major ideas. Initially, John repeats the idea that love, as a commandment from God, is a necessary action by believers. Showing love to others is how we demonstrate that we are ”born of God.” Second, John explains that those who have faith in Christ can overcome worldly sins and temptations. Victory, for the Christian, is through faith in Christ, who has already defeated these powers of darkness.
For a more detailed explanation select the link below.
“1 John 5:3” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 5:3 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 5:3
3 For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
Context Summary
First John 5:1–5 develops two major ideas. Initially, John repeats the idea that love, as a commandment from God, is a necessary action by believers. Showing love to others is how we demonstrate that we are ”born of God.” Second, John explains that those who have faith in Christ can overcome worldly sins and temptations. Victory, for the Christian, is through faith in Christ, who has already defeated these powers of darkness.
For a more detailed explanation select the link below.
“1 John 5:5” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 5:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 5:5
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Context Summary
First John 5:13–21 closes out the letter by focusing on assurance of salvation. The goal of John’s letter is to provide believers with a means to know, for sure, that they have eternal life. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ can be absolutely sure that they are saved. Despite our failures and sins, God is forgiving. And, through Christ, we have the power to overcome the world’s temptations to sin.
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“1 John 5:14” Bibleref.com
What does 1 John 5:14 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 John 5:14
14 This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
