< Back PrintOptions

#62

The Abridged First Letter from John

What is the First Letter from John?

Letter from John building a few theological ideas about God.

Summary - Top

Pt 1

Ch 1a. Intro

Ch 1b-3a. Doing Wrong

Ch 3b. Sacrifice

Ch 4. Love

Ch 5. Belief

Summary and Background

Stats

Other Names
1 John

Author
Traditionally by John the Apostle

Setting Range
90CE

Categories
Canon Epistles

Academic Composition Range
90CE-120CE

Historical Preservation
Fully Preserved

Public Domain Translations
KJVASVBBEYLTWEB

Abridged Status
Finished- 0% Remaining

Original Verse Count
105

Original Word Count
2,516

Abridged Word Count
1,241

Abridged Length
49%

History and Background of the First Letter from John

What do scholars and theologians know about the First Letter from John?

Likely written by the same writer as the Gospel of John, but still wasn't "the" apostle John.

Part 1 Chapter 1a

1:1-4. This letter is about what we swear we heard and saw about the "Word of Life". We're writing so you can join in on the party with us and God and The Chosen Child, Jesus.

1:1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

1:2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

1:3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1:4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1:5. God is Light; in God, there is no darkness.

1:5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Chapters 1b-3a

1:6-10. You cannot truthfully say you follow God while you are doing bad things.
You cannot truthfully say you follow God if you think you are perfect.
Not only are you lying, but you're saying Jesus was a liar.
If you admit your wrongdoings and walk in the light, you'll be forgiven and cleared of all wrongdoings.

1:6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1:10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1-2. I'm writing to you to help you stop doing bad things. But if you do do something bad, Jesus will defend you and speak up for you. Jesus has made up for all the wrongs in the entire world.

2:1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

2:3-6. You know you've found Jesus if you're doing what he said. That shows you're spreading God's love.

2:3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

2:4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

2:5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

2:6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

2:7-8. This is an extension of what Jesus said, nothing truly new. The true light is already shining in him and me and you.

2:7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

2:8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

2:9-11. If you hate your neighbor, you're walking in darkness, and it shows you haven't found God.

2:9. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

2:10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

2:11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

2:12-14. Some of you have been there since the beginning. I write because all you are forgiven. You are strong and have overcome temptation, and have grown to know God, and now the word of God lives in you.

2:12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

2:13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

2:14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

2:15-17. Do not be attached to the world- let go of desire, lust, and pride. That shit goes away, and clinging to it shows you don't know God.

2:15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2:16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

2:17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

2:18-28. I know you know all this because you were chosen and taught directly from God, but I'm going to say it anyway. I am just warning you of those trying to decieve you.

It's well known that false prophets will arise during the end of time, and they are here already. They pretended to be a part of our team, but since they left, it shows they never really belonged.

If you deny Jesus is Chosen, you're a liar, and it shows you don't know God. Remember what you heard at the beginning, and keep to it so that you won't be embarrassed when he shows up to fix everything, and you get the eternal life he promised.

2:18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

2:19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

2:20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

2:21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

2:22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

2:23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

2:24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

2:25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

2:26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

2:27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

2:28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

2:29. If you know Jesus is Good, you'll know everyone who does good has been reborn to him.

2:29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

3:1-3. God loves us so much God calls us children- and that's exactly what we are. The world is confused by this because they don't know God.
We don't even really know what "children of God" means, but it will be something like Jesus.
Everyone who hopes for this will be okay.

3:1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

3:2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3:3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

3:4-11. Jesus came to us to forgive our wrongdoings. You can't do wrong when walking with Jesus, if you do, that means you didn't know him in the first place.
Breaking the law is bad. People who do wrong are from the devil. The devil has been causing mischief from the beginning. Don't let anyone influence you.
This is how you can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Be good like Jesus is good, and love your neighbors. This is the message you've heard from the beginning.

3:4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

3:5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

3:6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

3:7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

3:8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

3:9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

3:10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

3:11. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Chapter 3b

3:12-15. Anyone who hates their neighbor is a murder. Don't be like Cain, who murdered his brother. There is no eternal life for murderers. But don't be suprised if the world hates you.

3:12. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

3:13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

3:14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

3:15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

3:16. We should sacrifice our own lives for our neighbors, just like Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

3:16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

3:17. If you see someone in need, and don't want to do anything about it, how can the love of God be in you?

3:17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

3:18. Don't just say you love someone, do actions to prove it's true.

3:18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

3:19-20. That's how we know everything is true, even when we feel guilty. God is greater than that, and knows everything.

3:19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

3:20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

3:21-23. If you don't feel guilty, you can ask God for anything, and it will be given to you.

3:21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

3:22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

3:23. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

3:24. People who listen to Jesus live with Jesus, and Jesus lives in them. We know this because of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus gave to us.

3:24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Chapter 4

4:1. Don't believe every spirit or prophet, because many are not from God. Test them.

4:1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

4:2-3. Anyone that recognizes that Jesus was a Human sent from God is truthful. Otherwise, they're lying.

4:2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

4:3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4:4. You all are from God, because God is in you, and God is greater than the devil in the world.

4:4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

4:5. Your enemies are from the physical world, and speak from that perspective.

4:5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

4:6. We are from God, and speak truth. Anyone who listens is also from God, and this is how we regcognize the Spirit of Truth.

4:6. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

4:7-8. Friends, let's love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been reborn and knows God, because God is love.

4:8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

4:7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

4:9-11. God loved us by sending us Jesus to teach us and live with us. Not because we loved God first, but because God loved us, and wanted to send Jesus to make up for all the wrongs in the world.
Because of this, we too should love one another.

4:9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

4:10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

4:11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

4:12-13. No one has ever seen God, but through us, God loves the world. We know this because of the Holy Spirit.

4:12. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

4:13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

4:14-15. We have seen and we swear that God sent the Child to save the world. If anyone admits Jesus is the Chlid of God, God must live in them.

4:14. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

4:15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

4:16-17. We rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God lives in them. This is the point. Being like God will give us confidence during judgment day.

4:16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

4:17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

4:18. There is no fear in love- love destroys fear. If you fear God, you haven't learned to love correctly.

4:18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

4:19. We love God because God showed us love first.

4:19. We love him, because he first loved us.

4:20-21. Whoever loves God must also love their neighbor. If they love God but hate their neighbor, they must be lying. How can you hate someone you've seen, but love someone you've never seen?

4:20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

4:21. And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Chapter 5

5:1. If you believe Jesus is the Chosen Child, it shows you born from God. Everyone who loves God loves Jesus.

5:1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

5:2-5. You know you love everyone if you love and listen to God. Love God by listening to God. It's not hard. Everyone who believes Jesus is the Child of God, shows they are born from God, and will conquer the world.

5:2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

5:4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5:5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

5:6-8. Jesus was baptized in water and died a bloody death. The Spirit came to us to swear this is true. The baptism, death, and Spirit all mean the same thing.

5:6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

5:7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

5:8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

5:9-11. It's easy to believe a human, but God has given a testimony about Jesus.
Anyone who believes in Jesus must have heard God say the way to eternal life is through Jesus.
Anyone who doesn't believe is saying God is a liar.

5:9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

5:10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

5:11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

5:12-13. I'm writing to remind you that if you believe and know Jesus, you have eternal life, otherwise you don't.

5:12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

5:13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

5:14-15. We are confient that if we approach God with a desire, God will deliver.

5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

5:15. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

5:16-17. If you see someone doing something wrong (that doesn't kill anyone), pray for them to get better. There are wrongdoings that don't lead to death.

5:16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

5:17. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

5:18. Anyone born from God cannot do wrong, and God keeps them safe from the devil.

5:18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

5:19. We know we are chidren of God, and that the devil controls the world.

5:19. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

5:20. We also know The Child has come to teach us about God. We live with God and God's Chosen Child, Jesus in eternal life.

5:20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

5:21. P.S. Remember to watch out for fake gods.

5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Translation Status

Abridged Status: Finished- 0% Remaining
0/105 Verses

THE END

Previous2 Peter

Back to AllAll Books

Next2 John