New Testament
1 John
An old man writing to 'my little children' about love and assurance.
Letter · 5 chapters · About 15 minutes
John, late in his life, c. AD 85–95
Overview
John circles rather than argues. The same few notes return again and again: light, love, truth, life, abiding.
It is written for people unsure whether they really belong, and it keeps handing them tests that are all warm rather than harsh: do you love, do you confess, do you stay.
The letter makes the boldest claim in Scripture about God's nature — God is love — and refuses to let it stay abstract.
What it keeps returning to
Abiding
Not striving, not achieving — remaining.
Assurance
'That you may know that you have eternal life.' The letter's stated purpose.
Love in action
'Let us not love in word… but in deed and in truth.'
Start here
1 John 1:5–9
Walking in the light, and honest confession.
1 John 3:1
'See what kind of love the Father has given us.'
1 John 4:7–21
God is love — the heart of the letter.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”