Answer
The book of 1 John is one of three letters traditionally attributed to the apostle John. Although it lacks an explicit salutation, our earliest witnesses point toward John being the author. One of the most influential witnesses to Johannine authorship of 1 John is Polycarp, a second-century bishop who knew John personally. As internal evidence, the author himself claimed to be an eyewitness to the life and ministry of Jesus, and John certainly was that. The recipients of 1 John remain unidentified, but the epistle was likely read in different churches. It shares similarities with the Gospel of John, suggesting that they were written by the same author.
The style of 1 John diverges from that of other epistles, with the introduction lacking the customary greeting. The letter is composed in Koine Greek, characterized by a straightforward presentation of ideas. John employs antithetical parallelisms to present many of his points. Christ is contrasted with the Antichrist, light with darkness, the Father’s love with that of the world, etc. This black-and-white presentation of truth offers a profound glimpse into living for Christ. There is no middle ground. We’re either in or out.
There also seems to be no middle ground regarding the authorship of 1 John. While some scholars uphold the traditional attribution, others argue for a distinction between John the evangelist and John the apostle. The more critical scholars argue in favor of anonymity, given the absence of explicit evidence. However, the testimony of figures like Polycarp lends weight to Johannine authorship. It is worth noting that the book of 1 John was considered authoritative by the early church, with no controversies surrounding authorship.
The dual purpose of 1 John is explicit: 1) “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, that you . . . may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3); and 2) “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Within this framework, John emphasizes love, both from God and among believers. He also warns against antichrists and those who profess to follow Christ but live differently. Modern readers can learn that God expects consistency in our lives. Struggling with sin is expected as we become more like Christ, and forgiveness is always available (1 John 1:9). Living an unrepentant sinful lifestyle, however, is inconsistent with the Christian faith.
