The opening lines of the Epistle echo the familiar tones of the Gospel of John, leading many scholars to believe that both were written by the same author. The author presents themselves as an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, asserting that they have seen and touched the Messiah during His time on Earth. While the “Word of Life” refers to Jesus, the gift of Eternal Life is the promise of being with the Father forever. Referring to Jesus as the “Word of Life,” the author aims to reinforce the readers’ faith by reminding them of the gospel’s origins and the message that forms the foundation of their fellowship.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. – 1 John 1:3-4 (NIV)
A Source of Encouragement
John’s letters serve as an encouragement for his readers to remain steadfast in their belief in the “Word of Life.” He expresses that his greatest joy would come from seeing his readers understand and embrace Jesus’ message, thereby finding eternal life. Unlike those who use their testimonies to knock others, John seeks to uplift and inspire his readers, ensuring that the true essence of Jesus’ teachings continues to resonate and flourish among His followers.
John assures the younger members of the church that they can be confident their sins have been forgiven through Jesus’s blood. He writes to the elders of the church, many of whom may have witnessed or at least heard about Jesus’ ministry, urging them to hold on to their knowledge of the Messiah. To the youth, he encourages them to overcome evil, which likely refers to resisting the false narratives spreading at that time.
I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. – 1 John 2:14 (NIV)
Young people are often the most susceptible to misinformation and propaganda; for example, even today we see that college and university students take stands on causes without fully understanding the context and background. John wants to ensure they do not abandon the “Word of Life” they have received for baseless narratives.
Holding on to the Word of Life
During that period, a common rhetoric suggested that Jesus died as a mere man rather than as the Son of God. These claims were widely spread by itinerant preachers, leading the author to fear their influence on the audience. The concept of the antichrist represents the complete antithesis of Christ, whose purpose is to sever our relationship with God. While Jesus came to build a bridge back to the Garden, the antichrist aims to destroy it.
The author, however, labels anyone who does not believe in Christ as the antichrist. The term “antichrist” has been frequently used loosely, both historically and in contemporary discourse, with individuals labelling others as antichrist sometimes based just on theological and ideological differences. Jesus came to die for everyone, and we should not dismiss or condemn individuals who struggle with faith or reject His sacrifice, as God has a plan for everyone.
They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. – 1 John 2:19 (NIV)
The author is addressing a troubling phenomenon through their letter: members of the early church leaving the faith. This raises the question: If these individuals did not truly belong to the Church, why were they allowed in initially? It is natural to recognize flaws in others when they disagree with us, but it is more challenging to discern these flaws when individuals appear to align with our beliefs.
The early Christian community, like any group, included individuals with varying degrees of commitment and understanding. Like in our churches today, people would have joined for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons, but their true beliefs and commitments only became evident over time. The Church did not possess perfect knowledge of each individual’s heart and motives upon their entry. Therefore, the separation of true believers from those who were not genuinely aligned with the faith was a process that unfolded gradually. This underscores the need for spiritual discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit, to understand the true state of those around us and not be deceived by superficial alignments.
The author uses strong language to describe those who left the community, calling them “antichrists.” This term is not merely an insult but a theological indictment, referring to those who deny essential aspects of Christian doctrine, particularly the divinity of Christ. While the language is harsh, it reflects the author’s deep concern for preserving what he believed to be the core truths of the faith.
Ideological Differences and the Antichrist
The strong language used by the author further underscores the gravity of doctrinal truth but should be understood within its specific historical context. Despite the severity of the author’s words, Christians are called to continue loving those who have left. It is easy to write off those who propagate what we see as false narratives, but it is more challenging to keep praying for them, trusting that God still has a plan for their lives, perhaps through someone else’s influence.
Is the author saying that anyone who leaves the Church over ideological differences is the antichrist? To understand this, we must consider the context in which the letter was written. The early Church faced a significant crisis, with many members leaving to follow what the author viewed as a “half-baked lie.” This mass exodus understandably led to frustration and a cautious approach by the author to maintaining doctrinal purity.
The term “antichrist” in this context is used to emphasize the seriousness of doctrinal deviation. However, it is crucial to differentiate between this specific historical context. Throughout history, the Church has experienced many splits and the creation of new denominations due to differing interpretations of doctrine and practice. However, despite these doctrinal differences, we must remember that we are one body in Christ, each with a unique purpose given by the Creator. Therefore, let us not bicker over doctrinal differences but focus on the work Jesus has assigned to us.
Holy Spirit: Our Teacher
“I am writing these things to you about those who are attempting to lead you astray. But you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. His anointing teaches you about all things and is true, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him.” – 1 John 2:26-27 (NIV)
Does this mean that If we have the leading of God, do we need anyone to teach us? While the anointing from God does guide us and provide wisdom, the example of Apollos shows that even those who are led by the Spirit can benefit from additional teaching and deeper understanding from others.
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. – Acts 18:24-26 (NIV)
Apollos was knowledgeable and passionate in his preaching, yet Priscilla still helped him gain a more complete understanding. This indicates that learning from the experiences and insights of others can help us grow in our faith and knowledge. The Holy Spirit continues to teach believers, helping them understand the Scriptures and apply them to their lives.
The Path to Eternal Life
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. – 1 John 5:2 (NIV)
While some people believe that participating in rituals like baptism or weekly communion demonstrates our love for God, what is truly needed is following the commandments Jesus gave: to love God and love each other. To become more like Christ each day, we must focus on increasing our love for others and decreasing our hatred. By doing so, we fulfil God’s commands and genuinely express our love for Him.
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. – 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV)
Some people feel that following God’s commands is burdensome, believing that staying on His path requires enormous effort, leading them to choose the easier ways of the world. However, the authors of the Bible repeatedly affirm that His commands are not burdensome.
While many profess their love for Christ, they privately confess their fear of God and His wrath. They forget that God and the Son are one and that God offered His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, demonstrating His ultimate love for us. By drawing closer to God and understanding His ways and purpose for us, we will find His instructions less burdensome. Only then we can be like the Bible authors and our joy will be in fulfilling His commands each day.
This is the one who came by water and blood —Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. – 1 John 5:6-8 (NIV)
The phrase “who came by water and blood” refers to Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion, which mark the beginning and end of His public ministry on earth. John emphasizes that Jesus was both fully God and fully man throughout His life, including His death. The Holy Spirit testifies to Jesus being the Son of God, having descended on Him at His baptism and continually confirming His identity in the hearts of believers. This assertion is crucial because if Jesus had died only as a man, His sacrifice would not have been sufficient to atone for human sin. The occurrences on the day of Jesus’ baptism and His crucifixion serve as a testament to His identity as the Son of God.
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. – 1 John 5:12 (NIV)
While many people may be living physically, they do not have the Word of Life without the Son of God. Their purpose is often unclear, leading them to work aimlessly and follow a religion or a cause without conviction. They are not on the path that God intended for them when He created them. Therefore true life is found in the word of Life, the Son Jesus, who grants us a deeper understanding of purpose and eternal life.
Confidence in the Word of Life
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. – 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
Many people tend to ask for personal needs and often quote verses like 1 John 5:14-15, which assures us that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. However, what God truly wants us to ask for are things that will help us walk on His path. We do have the free will to ask, but it should be in line with His purpose for our lives.
It’s important to recognize that God provides for our needs daily, regardless of whether we ask or pray about them. In times of trouble, we sometimes treat God like a tool which needs a keyword to activate, similar to asking a virtual assistant to perform tasks. Instead, we should focus our prayers on asking for patience to wait for His timing, wisdom to understand the larger plan He has for us and strength to endure the challenges we face.
Our requests that do not align with this purpose may be futile in the larger plan of bringing us closer to eternal Life. Ultimately, our prayers should reflect a desire to grow closer to God and to fulfil His will in our lives. This is what the author wants their audience (both then and now) to embrace and have confidence in the Word of Life for all our needs.
The Jordan Valley 
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