One-sentence summary:
John writes to assure believers of eternal life, emphasizing love, obedience, and discernment as proof of genuine fellowship with God.
Key themes & takeaways:
- God Is Light — True fellowship with God means walking in the light and confessing sin.
- Obedience as Evidence — Keeping God’s commands shows that we truly know Him.
- Love One Another — Love is not optional; it flows from being born of God.
- Test the Spirits — Discern truth from deception; false prophets deny Jesus as the Christ come in the flesh.
- Assurance of Salvation — Believers can know they have eternal life through faith in Christ.
Historical/cultural context:
More pastoral and meditative than argumentative.
Written by the Apostle John likely between AD 85–95 from Ephesus.
Addressed to a network of churches dealing with false teaching (early Gnosticism).
Rich in repeated themes and contrasts—light vs. darkness, truth vs. lies, love vs. hate.
