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Book 62 of 66 · New Testament

1 John

A letter on how to know you belong to God: walk in the light, and love one another.

5 chapters105 versesWritten in GreekSet To churches troubled by false teaching

Overview

1 John is written to reassure believers unsettled by teachers who had left the church denying that Jesus had truly come "in the flesh." In simple words and circling themes — light and darkness, love and hatred, truth and lies — John lays out how to know you belong to God: believe in Jesus, walk in the light, and love one another. "God is love."

Book facts

Author
John (traditionally)Anonymous, but traditionally the apostle John, matching the fourth Gospel.
Date written
c. AD 90Late in the first century.
Original language
GreekSimple words, circling deep themes of light, love, and truth.
Setting
To churches troubled by false teachingAssuring believers of what they have.

How it came to be

1 John does not name its author within the text. Its style and themes closely match the Gospel of John, and tradition credits the apostle John.

It answers a split in the church over whether Jesus had truly come in human flesh.

What is arguedWhether the apostle John wrote both it and the Gospel, or a circle of his followers did.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat this chapter covers
Light, love, and truth — how to know you belong to God, chapters 1–5
Chapter 1The light and the darknessGod is light; if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive.
Chapter 2The new commandmentKeep his commandments and love one another; do not love the world.
Chapter 3The children of GodSee what love the Father has given, that we are called the children of God.
Chapter 4The testing of spiritsTest the spirits; "God is love," and perfect love casts out fear.
Chapter 5The witnessFaith in the Son gives eternal life; these things are written that you may know.

All 5 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

The apostle to whom the letter is traditionally credited.

Known for

Some of the best-known verses in 1 John — tap the verse to read it.