1 John
New Testament · translated from the Greek
How to know that we know God: walking in the light, keeping his commandments, loving one another and confessing that Jesus is the Messiah come in the flesh. For God is love.
How it is laid out
Key verses
- 1 John 4:8 — God is love
- 1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us
- 1 John 4:19 — We love, because he first loved us
Who wrote it
The letter does not name its author, who speaks as a witness of the Word of life (1:1). Christian tradition attributes it to the apostle John (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.16.5).
When it was written
Probably AD 85–100; the date is debated.
For whom, and in what situation
A assembly from which some had gone out who denied that Jesus is the Messiah (2:19, 22). He writes to those who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that they may know they have eternal life (5:13).
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