1 John.
Three tests of genuine Christian faith — right belief, righteous life, and love.
Who wrote 1 John?
John the apostle.
Who was it written for?
Churches around Ephesus facing proto-Gnostic teaching that denied Christ's humanity.
Structure
- God is light (1–2)
- God is love (3–4)
- Faith and confidence (5)
Key verses
Why 1 John matters
The letter is short and circles back to the same themes — light and darkness, truth and lies, love and hatred. The Greek is the simplest in the New Testament; the theology is the most concentrated. "God is love" (4:8, 16) appears here and only here. Anyone wondering whether they are a Christian can apply 1 John's three tests and have a clear answer.
Related tools
Read the book, then test it.
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