introduction of first John - Emmanuel phiri

who wrote this Book?

the book of first John is recognized as the letter in the Bible. so, as we know that every effective letter is supposed to have the writer, the recipient, the date of the writing, and the content. with the first John, to know all these is not easy as someone may think because the letter does not state at the first place.

the only interesting things with the first John is that the content shows that the author is the origin disciple of the Jesus Christ according to how the author addresses the content.

1 John 1:1-2 (ESV)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—”

John 1:1-4 (ESV)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

with several insight in first John in comparison with gospel of John many Biblical scholars says that John is the author of first John, for example, the Lexham Bible Dictionary. therefore I conclude that John the disciple of Jesus Christ is the author of first John.

To whom was it written?

the content of the letter indicate that the author was in good relationship with the recipients for example, the use of “My little children” 2:1, “Beloved” 2:7, 3:2. this relationship in Christianity is between the believers, therefore the letter was written to the believers.

When was it written?

Many Biblical scholars date first John in relation to the gospel of John just like they did with authorship, for example, The Lexham Bible Dictionary dated this letter in between AD 70 and AD 90 as the period when it was written.

Why was it written?

actually, every letter is supposed to have the purpose to be followed by it recipient. since the author knew his recipients them being believers the purpose now his purpose was to stress his recipients the need to keep God’s word and to live consistently with their profession of faith (2:6).

Application for us

the first John tend to have good application as the whole letter is God centered. in this letter through out, God is taken as the father and the believers are His children through His son Jesus Christ 1:2, 2:13, 3:1, 5:2. believers we belong to the family of God therefore we need to keep His word and live consistently with our faith.