John, The First Epistle of. There can be no doubt that, the apostle John was the author of this Epistle. It was probably written from Ephesus, and most likely, at the close of the first century. In the introduction, 1 John 1:1-4, the apostle states the purpose of his Epistle: it is to declare the word of life, to those whom he is addressing, in order that he and they might be united, in true communion with each other, and with God, the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ.
His lesson throughout is tha, t the means of union with God are, on the part of Christ, his atoning blood, 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:14; 1 John 5:6, and advocacy, 1 John 2:1, on the part of man, holiness, 1 John 1:6, obedience, 1 John 2:3, purity, 1 John 3:3, faith, 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:3; 1 John 5:5, and above all, love. 1 John 2:7; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:1.