Reference: John, First Epistle of

the fourth of the catholic or "general" epistles. It was evidently written by John the evangelist, and probably also at Ephesus, and when the writer was in advanced age. The purpose of the apostle (1Jo 1:1-4) is to declare the Word of Life to those to whom he writes, in order that they might be united in fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. He shows that the means of union with God are, (1) on the part of Christ, his atoning work (1Jo 1:7; 2:2; 3:5; 4:10,14; 5:11-12) and his advocacy (1Jo 2:1); and (2), on the part of man, holiness (1Jo 1:6), obedience (1Jo 2:3), purity (1Jo 3:3), faith (1Jo 3:23; 4:3; 5:5), and love (1Jo 2:7-8; 3:14; 4:7; 5:1).

This was doubtless written after the epistles of Peter and Paul. Morally John's writings have their place when the church as a testimony had failed, and the 'last time' had arrived. The three Epistles come in between the Gospel of John and the Revelation. The real remedy for the evils spoken of is the coming in of the Lord as the faithful witness.

Near the end of the first century the error had arisen that Christ had no real body