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AUTHOR: The letter does not mention the name of the author, but we can say that it was the Apostle John. With the exception of the first epistle of John and the epistle to the Hebrews, all other New Testament epistles designate their author, either by name or by title.
THEME: As an eyewitness of Jesus Christ, John wrote this letter with the purpose of reaffirming the confidence of Christians in their faith and refuting the heresies of false teachers. It was written to a Christian community that had to face first century Gnostic heresy, questioning and casting doubt on the divinity of Jesus, asserting that God could never dwell in a material body of flesh and blood. John refers to these teachings as misleading and to their teachers as "false prophets" [1Jo 4:1], "liars" [1Jo 2:22] and "antichrists" [1Jo 2:18-22] and [1Jo 4: 3]. The apostle wrote to correct their serious errors, presenting God as the "light", symbolizing absolute purity and holiness [ 1 John 1:5-7 ], and explains how Christians can walk in the light and have fellowship with God [ 1 John 1 :8-10 ] through his Son Jesus, who is the true God and eternal life [ 1Jo 5:20 ]
COMPILATION: Probably in Ephesus, between the years 85 and 90 AD. It consists of 5 chapters and 105 verses.
CHRONOLOGY (ESTIMATED) | |
AD 27 | Jesus summons John, son of Zebedee, to follow him |
AD 30 | John becomes leader of first-century church |
AD 67 | Peter and Paul are executed; John takes up residence in Ephesus |
70 A.D. | The Romans destroy Jerusalem and the church is scattered |
AD 90 | John writes his gospel and his letters |
AD 100 | Death of John |