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Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study John’s first epistle.
Bible Study: 1 John: Discerning the True Gospel
Jump to: Background; ** Maps; ** Key Words; ** Encyclopedias; ** Commentaries; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** Next **
Basics
- Author: Apostle John, the son of Zebedee
- Date: c. 85-95 AD
- Audience: Believers in general
- Purpose: Correction of false teaching
- Who was John?
Genre: Understanding Epistles
Background & Outlines
- Early Church Heresies
- Map of NT Churches
- Chronology of Paul
- Blue Letter Bible: Chronology of Acts/Epistles
1John
- Ray C. Stedman: Overview of the Book
- John MacArthur: 1 John
- Blue Letter Bible: Outline of 1John
- NIV: 1 John Introduction
- ESV: Introduction to 1-3John
- ESV: The Global Message of 1-3John
- James Van Dine: Intro to 1 John
- First John – Charles Swindoll
- 1 John: Introduction, Argument, and Outline – Daniel Wallace
- Key to 1 John – William Orr
- 1 John Introduction and Outline – J Vernon McGee
- John Epistles Introduction – Wil Pounds
- David Malick (Bible.org): Introduction To The Book Of 1 John
- David Malick: Introduction To The Book Of 1 John
2John
- Blue Letter Bible: Outline of 2John
- 2 John: The Vital Balance – Ray Stedman
- 2 John: Introduction – John MacArthur
- NIV: 2 John Introduction
- ESV: Introduction to 1-3John
- ESV: The Global Message of 1-3John
- James van Dine: Intro to 2John
- 2 John: Introduction, Argument, and Outline – Daniel Wallace
- Key to 2 John – William Orr
- Second John – Charles Swindoll
- 2 John Introduction and Outline – J Vernon McGee
- Synthetic Bible Study – 2 and 3 John – James Gray
- John Epistles Introduction – Wil Pounds
- David Malick (Bible.org): Introduction To The Book Of 2 John
- David Malick: Argument For The Book Of 2 John
3John
- Blue Letter Bible: Outline of 3John
- 3 John: A Tale of Three Men – Ray Stedman
- 3 John: Introduction – John MacArthur
- NIV:3 John Introduction
- ESV: Introduction to 1-3John
- ESV: The Global Message of 1-3John
- James van Dine: Intro to 3John
- 3 John: Introduction, Argument, and Outline – Daniel Wallace
- Key to III John – William Orr
- The Epistles of John – Myer Pearlman (1935)
- Third John – Charles Swindoll
- 3 John Introduction and Oultine – J Vernon McGee
- Synthetic Bible Study – 2 and 3 John – James Gray (1906)
- John Epistles Introduction – Wil Pounds
- David Malick (Bible.org): Introduction To The Book Of 3 John
- David Malick: Argument For The Book Of 3 John
Maps from Bible-History.com
- Israel in NT Times
- Kingdom of Herod the Great
- Herod’s Kingdom Divided
- New Testament Cities
- Apostles’ Journeys
Maps from Studylight.org
- The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I
- The Kingdom of Agrippa II
- Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora
- Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine
Key Words
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
1John
- know (36x/29v) – Strong’s G1097 in 1Jn 2:3; 1Jn 2:4; 1Jn 2:5; 1Jn 2:13; 1Jn 2:14; 1Jn 2:18; 1Jn 3:1; 1Jn 3:16; 1Jn 3:19; 1Jn 3:24; 1Jn 4:2; 1Jn 4:6; 1Jn 4:8; 1Jn 4:13; 1Jn 4:16; 1Jn 5:2; Strong’s G3609a in 1Jn 2:11; 1Jn 2:20; 1Jn 2:21; 1Jn 2:29; 1Jn 3:2; 1Jn 3:5; 1Jn 3:14; 1Jn 3:15; 1Jn 5:13; 1Jn 5:15; 1Jn 5:18; 1Jn 5:19; 1Jn 5:20.
- love (36x/24v) / loved (4x/3v) – Strong’s G26 in 1Jn 2:5; 1Jn 3:1; 1Jn 3:16; 1Jn 3:17; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 4:8; 1Jn 4:9; 1Jn 4:10; 1Jn 4:11; 1Jn 4:12; 1Jn 4:16; 1Jn 4:17; 1Jn 4:18; 1Jn 4:19; 1Jn 5:3; Strong’s G25 in 1Jn 2:15; 1Jn 3:10; 1Jn 3:11; 1Jn 3:14; 1Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:23; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 4:8; 1Jn 4:11; 1Jn 4:12; 1Jn 4:19; 1Jn 4:20; 1Jn 4:21; 1Jn 5:2.
- abides – (15x/12v) – Strong’s G3306 in 1Jn 2:6; 1Jn 2:10; 1Jn 2:14; 1Jn 2:24; 1Jn 2:27; 1Jn 3:6; 1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 3:14; 1Jn 3:24; 1Jn 4:12; 1Jn 4:15; 1Jn 4:16; abide (6x/5v) – Strong’s G3306 in 1Jn 2:24; 1Jn 2:27; 1Jn 2:28; 1Jn 3:17; 1Jn 4:13.
- fellowship (4x/3v) – Strong’s G2842 in 1Jn 1:3; 1Jn 1:6; 1Jn 1:7.
- sin (14x/9v) – Strong’s G266 in 1Jn 1:7; 1Jn 1:8; 1Jn 3:4; 1Jn 3:5; 1Jn 3:8; 1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 5:16; 1Jn 5:17. Strong’s G264 in 1Jn 2:1; 1Jn 3:9.
- born (9x/6v) [of God/Him] – Strong’s G1080 in 1Jn 2:29; 1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 5:1; 1Jn 5:4; 1Jn 5:18.
- truth (9x/8v) – Strong’s G225 in 1Jn 1:6; 1Jn 1:8; 1Jn 2:4; 1Jn 2:21; 1Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:19; 1Jn 4:6; 1Jn 5:6.
- true (6x/3v) – Strong’s G227 in 1Jn 2:8; 1Jn 2:27; 1Jn 5:20.
- light (6x/5v) – Strong’s G5457 in 1Jn 1:5; 1Jn 1:7; 1Jn 2:8; 1Jn 2:9; 1Jn 2:10.
2John
- abides (2x) – Strong’s G 3306 in 2Jn 1:2; 2Jn 1:9; abide (1x) – Strong’s G3306 in 2Jn1:9
- truth (4x) – Strong’s G225 in 2Jn 1:1; 2Jn 1:2; 2Jn 1:3; 2Jn 1:4.
- love (4x) – Strong’s G25 in 2Jn 1:1; 2Jn 1:3; 2Jn 1:5; 2Jn 1:6.
- commandment(s) (3x/4v) – Strong’s G1785 in 2Jn 1:4; 2Jn 1:5; 2Jn 1:6.
- teaching (3x/2v) – Strong’s G13222 in 2Jn 1:9; 2Jn 1:10.
- walk (2x/1v) – Strong’s G4043 in 2Jn1:6.
3John
- truth (5x) – Strong’s G225 in 3Jn 1:1; 3Jn 1:3; 3Jn 1:4; 3Jn 1:8; 3Jn 1:12.
- good (4x/3v) – Strong’s G5198 in 3Jn 1:2; Strong’s G15 in 3Jn 1:11; Strong’s G15 in 3Jn 1:11; (implied in 3Jn 1:12)
Commentary Recommendations
1John
- Top 5 Commentaries on the Epistles of John – Ligonier,org
- Tim Challies Best Commentaries: John’s Letters
- Commentary Reviews: John’s letters
- Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: 1 John
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: 1 John
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: 1 John
- Alfords Exegetical Commentary -1John
- Geneva Study Bible: 1 John
- Reformation Study Bible Notes- 1 John
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 1John
2John
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: 2 John
- Alfords Exegetical Commentary -2John
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: 2 John
- Geneva Study Bible: 2 John
- Reformation Study Bible Notes- 2 John
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 2John
3John
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: 3 John
- Alfords Exegetical Commentary -3John
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: 3 John
- Geneva Study Bible: 3 John
- Reformation Study Bible Notes- 3 John
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 3John
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Letters
- Baker Evangelical Dictionary John, Theology of
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary John, letters of
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary John, Second Epistle of John, First Epistle of John, Third Epistle of
- Fausset Bible Dictionary John, the Epistles of
- Holman Bible Dictionary John, the Letters of
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible John, Theology of
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible John, the Epistles of
- John, First Epistle of – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- John, the Epistles of – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- John, the Epistles of – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Johannine, Theology of – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- John, 2nd & 3rd Epistles of – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Morrish Bible Dictionary John, First Epistle of John, Third Epistle of John, Second Epistle of
- Smith Bible Dictionary John, the First Epistle General of John, the Second and Third Epistles of
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia John, the Epistles of
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia John, Second and Third Epistles Of. John, First Epistle Of,
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia John, Epistles of
Author
- John – Holman Bible Dictionary
- John, the Apostle – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- John, the Apostle – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- John, the Apostle – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- John, the Evangelist – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
Gnosticism & Early Heresies
- Gnosticism – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Gnosticism – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Gnosticism – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Gnosticism – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- What is Docetism? – Zondervan Academic
- Early Church Heresies from ChurchHistory101
Diotrephes
- American Tract Society Diotrephes
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary Diotrephes
- Fausset Bible Dictionary Diotrephes
- Holman Bible Dictionary Diotrephes
- Hitchcock Bible Names Diotrephes
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Diotrephes
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT Diotrephes
- Morrish Bible Dictionary Diotrephes
- People’s Dictionary of the Bible Diotrephes
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Diotrephes
- Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Diotrephes
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Diotrephes
Articles
- Johnny V. Miller – Book Review of the unusual interpretations of 1 John in Zane Hodges’ book The Gospel Under Siege
- The Meaning of Walking “in the Darkness” (1 John 1:6) — By Charles P. Baylis
- Getting Up to Speed An Essential Introduction to 1 John — By Barry Clyde Joslin
- What Is the Message of 1 John — By Gary W. Derickson
- Persevering in Christ and Tests of Eternal Life — By A. B. Caneday
- Sin and Perfection in 1 John — By Colin G. Kruse
- The Holy Spirit In 1 John — By Donald W. Mills
- ‘Little Children, Keep Yourselves From Idols’ (1 John 5:21) – Terry Griffith
- Should We Pray for Straying Brethren? John’s Confidence in 1 John 5:16-17 – Randall K J Tan
- Third Class Conditions in First John – David L Washburn
- The Sin Unto Death – Problem Texts – F F Bruce
- What Shall We Call Each Other?… – Paul Trebilco
- The Overcomer of the Apocalypse – James E Rosscup
GotQuestions.org
1John
- Book of 1 John
- What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith?
- What does it mean that God is light?
- Do we need to confess our sins to those we have sinned against?
- Why do we need to confess our sins if they have already been forgiven?
- Do Christians have to keep asking for forgiveness for their sins?
- What does it mean to abide in Christ?
- What does it mean that we are not to love the world?
- What is the pride of life?
- Is a backsliding Christian still saved?
- Are we all God’s children, or only Christians?
- What is the definition of sin?
- What does it mean that believers do not continue to sin?
- What is the key to victory when struggling with sin?
- Why can’t I stop sinning? Please help!
- How can I overcome a habitual sin?
- What does it mean to be dead to sin?
- What does it mean to test the spirits?
- What is agape love?
- Why is obedience to God important?
- What does the Bible say about being an overcomer?
- What is the Comma Johanneum?
- How can I have assurance of my salvation?
- Does God hear / answer the prayers of a sinner / unbeliever?
- What is the sin unto death?
- What is free grace? What is Free Grace Theology?
- What is the relationship of faith, works, and security in salvation?
- Why is faith without works dead?
- What is lordship salvation?
2John
- Survey of 2 John
- Who is the elect lady in 2 John?
- Should we allow false teachers into our home?
- What does it mean that God is love?
- What is the definition of a cult?
- What is the best way to evangelize someone who is in a cult or false religion?
- What is the definition of heresy?
3John
Bible Study Helps
- Bible Study 101
- Interpreting Epistles
- Study Software & websites
- More Maps & Charts
- Greek Word Studies by Precepts Austin
- Books on how to study the Bible
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Previous: 2 Peter
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