1 John emphasizes love, fellowship, and the assurance of salvation. It addresses the nature of God as light and love, urging believers to walk in the light by living righteously and loving one another. The letter warns against false teachings and stresses the importance of acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God. It encourages readers to abide in God's love, fostering a deep sense of community and spiritual confidence, reminding them that true love casts out fear and that faith in Christ is the foundation of eternal life.
1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)3. That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1. My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1. Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3. And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that fathered loves him also that is begotten of him.2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
