Gospels - Book Level

What Kind of Book? Letter

Read the Book - 1^st Pass (Summary / Theme)

The main thrust of John's letter is to declare the love of God, and to make clear how that love differs from the lusts of the world. His recipients are warned that their actions must match their declarations, if they are to be believed truly sons of God. They are warned that much falsehood comes in the name of Christ, and given the tools of determining the truth from the lie. The core of the message is that we must abide in God's love, by the power of the Holy Spirit, given through the work of the Son, evidenced by our willing obedience to His commands - especially that we evidence His love in our treatment of others.

Read the Book - 2nd Pass (Background from content)

Who wrote it?	This is not clear from the text, but the author does claim to be an eye-witness - which would make it likely that it was one of the apostles. The themes of the book, and some of the phrasings, are similar to John, which would make it reasonable to assume common authorship of the two books.
Who was it written to or for?	This, too, is unclear - although it is written to believers. One could presume that it was a fairly well established group given the odd chunk at 2:12. Of course, that may be reading into it a bit.
Why was it written?	The message appears to focus on two things: 1) the rule of love in the life of the believer - the primacy of the commandments to love God and neighbor; and 2) the countering of false teachers.
When was it written?	No clear dating possible from the text. What we can see is that the church was established, and that it was well enough established to have attracted false teachers. There're some hints of gnosticism, too, which might date things a bit. The author is never clear exactly what false teachings are being countered, so it doesn't give much to go on.
What was happening in the world at that time?	Unknown, although it's most certainly during Roman rule - but which ruler?
What was happening to God's people at that time?	Establishment and infiltration. Clearly, they were dealing with a number of pseudo-teachers trying to modify the message and gain a following.
What was happening to the author at that time?	Unknown.

Read some Background - 3rd Pass (Add some authors)

Harper's:

Gives some more support for the idea that Gnosticism was the problem being addressed. Suggests AD 90 as the date, but gives no particular reason for the suggestion. Also suggests Ephesus as the place written, again without supporting info.

Read some Background - 3rd Pass (Add some authors)

Hebrew-Greek Key:

Mostly wanders into discussions of Antinomianism and Perfectionism as being the objects of attack. Beyond that, he largely ignores the question of context, and focuses instead on the phrasing.

Read some Background - 3rd Pass (Add some authors)

Calvin:

Ignores background, but looks at major themes. Sees a mix of teaching and exhortation - mostly focused on the rule of love.

Read some Background - 3rd Pass (Add some authors)

Matthew Henry:

Notes lack of author's name, and attributes to humility. No other comments

Godbey:

Spends his intro pointing out much of Apostolic mythos; the list of martyrdoms, that John lived to 101, and was translated.