First John-Introduction-First John: The Purpose of First John
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Wednesday February 22, 2017
First John: The Purpose of First John
Lesson # 11
First John contains a four-fold purpose which is reflected by the statements recorded in 1:4, 2:1, 26 and 5:13a.
However, the first of these contains the overall purpose for the epistle.
“These things we write” in 1 John 1:4 points back to John’s statements in 1 John 1:3.
“These things we write” in 1 John 2:1 points back to 1 John 1:5-10.
“These things I have written” in 1 John 2:26 points back to his statements in 1 John 2:18-24.
Lastly, “these things I have written” in 1 John 5:13a points back to his statements in 1 John 5:6-12.
So the four-fold purpose of First John is first to secure the joy of the believers John is writing to.
Secondly, this epistle is to assure these believers that they have a provision for sin when they do sin and thus eternal security.
Thirdly, John wanted to protect his readers from false doctrine by encouraging them to continue in the doctrine he taught them.
Lastly, the apostle wanted to reassure his readers that they possess eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
However, John’s overall purpose is revealed in 1 John 1:1-4 in that John wants his readers to continue to obey his apostolic message so as to protect their fellowship with God which would bring him joy.
In these verses, there is an authored-centered purpose meaning that John sought to benefit by his readers continuing to obey his apostolic teaching.
There is also of course an audience-centered purpose meaning that John sought for his readers to benefit from fellowship with God.
Therefore, there are two interrelated purposes reflected in 1 John 1:1-4.