1 John study section

1 John chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter. Open any chapter for the full study.

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Chapter list

Chapters 1–2

Walking in the Light

John proclaims the “word of life” he has seen and heard, declares that “God is light,” and calls believers into fellowship with God by walking in the light, confessing sin, keeping His commandments, loving one another, and not loving the world.

  • Chapter 1 (c. AD 90): John proclaims the word of life; God is light, and if we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive.
  • Chapter 2 (c. AD 90): Christ is our advocate and propitiation; keep His commandments, do not love the world, and abide in Him.

Chapters 3–4

Children of God Who Love

John marvels at the Father’s love in making us His children, calls believers to love one another as Christ laid down His life for us, urges them to test the spirits by their confession of Christ, and declares that “God is love.”

  • Chapter 3 (c. AD 90): See the Father’s love in making us His children; the children of God practice righteousness and love in deed.
  • Chapter 4 (c. AD 90): Test the spirits by their confession of Christ, for God is love, and we love because He first loved us.

Chapter 5

Faith That Overcomes

Belief that Jesus is the Christ, born of God, overcomes the world; the Spirit, the water, and the blood testify to the Son; and John gives the assurance that “whoever has the Son has life.”

  • Chapter 5 (c. AD 90): Faith in the Son overcomes the world; God has given us eternal life, that we may know we have it.

My notes