John's First Epistle here comes to its conclusion, emphasizing yet again that recipients of the Apostolic faith have every reason for confidence. He even states that he wrote the letter…
1 John 5:1-12 “We Overcome by Believing”
This letter of First John teaches us that, while we live in the world, Satan's army continually assaults the Church with false teaching, exacerbating the struggle of life, making us…
1 John 4:7-21 “The Confidence to Love”
False prophets had shaken the faith of the Christians that had received this letter. But the Apostle John reminds them that they had every confidence. God had displayed the love…
1 John 4:1-6 “Testing the Spirits”
Though Christians commonly think we need to move beyond having doctrinal differences, John informs us that this is an impossible task. We are in the last hour (2:18), so we…
1 John 3:11-24 “Comforted by Our Love for the Church”
John's writings are characterized by an "eschatological perspective," i.e., he speaks of people as they are related to their ultimate destinations - heaven & hell. This means that all people…
1 John 2:28-3:10 “Abiding as God’s Children”
False teachers were trying to upset the faith and confidence of John's audience, which was composed of one or more churches. In this letter, John provides the church(es) with great…
1 John 2:18-27 “Hold Fast in this Last Hour”
It's common to hear well-intentioned Christians look at current events in our world and say, "We're definitely in the last days." The Apostle John would agree with that sentiment, but…
1 John 2:7-17 “The Light Changes Your Life”
The course of history changed when Christ, the Light of the World, first appeared. He brought truth and light to bear upon this sinful world. Then, having ascended into Heaven,…
1 John 2:1-6 “Obedience to Your Savior”
One of the great purposes of John's letter is that this troubled church obey Christ's commandments (cf. 1 John 1:4; 5:13), a great calling for Christians. John reassures them that…
1 John 1:5-10 “Living in the Truth”
John is especially concerned that his audience, which has been battered by false teaching, walks in truth and light. Whereas many assume that this is all about obedience to the…
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