What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
1 JOHN • CHAPTER 1
1 John 1
Love, truth, sin, assurance, Christology, community division, obedience, and eternal life.
READ THE CHAPTER
1 John 1
WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
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1
That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life
2
(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);
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that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
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And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
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This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
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If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth.
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But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
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If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
GENERAL LETTER
Where this chapter fits
1 John is an early Christian letter written into specific community circumstances; reading it well requires distinguishing the original audience from later universal application.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
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