1 John
Tests of genuine faith: light, love, and truth about Jesus.
About 1 John
First John is written after a split in the community, to reassure those who remained. It circles three tests rather than arguing in a straight line: walking in the light, loving one another in practice rather than word, and confessing that Jesus came in the flesh. Its purpose is stated directly — that readers may know they have eternal life — and its best-known line is simply that God is love.
- Assurance
- Love
- Light and darkness
- Truth
Key verses in 1 John
All 5 chapters of 1 John
Verses to memorize from 1 John
- 1 John 1:9 — When we admit our sins to God, he can be trusted to forgive them and to make us clean from every wrong.
- 1 John 3:1 — John marvels at how lavishly the Father loves us — enough to call us his children, which is exactly what we are.
- 1 John 5:14 — John says believers can be confident that when they ask anything in line with God's will, he hears them.
Topics drawn from 1 John
Guides that explore 1 John
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