1 . WRITTEN BY the apostle John, as proved no less by its character than by external testimony. The similarity in tone and language to the Fourth Gospel shows both to be the work of that disciple whom Jesus loved (Joh_21:7).
2 . WRITTEN, as generally understood, to the "circle of Asiatic churches". But it is suggested that this First Epistle of John may be reckoned among the Diaspora and earlier epistles, for the following reasons:- ( a ) The occurrences of the word parousia (1Jn_2:28). See Mat_24:3; 1Th_2:19, &c. ( b ) The significance of the possessive pronoun hemeteros (1Jn_1:3; 1Jn_2:2, see Notes), and ( c ) Paul''s statement that John was one of the "pillars", i.e. teachers of the Law, and therefore a minister of the circumcision (see Gal_2:9).
The position that the epistle occupies canonically among the Diaspora writings strengthens the argument that it also is to be reckoned among them.
3 . THE CONTENTS are practical teaching in the light of the love of God. God is Life, is Light, is Truth, is Righteous, is Love, and we have fellowship with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. "We know that He abideth in us by the spirit which He hath given us" (1Jn_3:24). The apostle sets in vivid contrast the death, darkness, falsehood, hate, which are the characteristics of the devil who "sinneth from the beginning" (1Jn_3:8), and those who are led by the spirit of error (1Jn_4:6), with the work of the Holy Spirit in believers. But the dominant conception running throughout the epistle is that of the love which constraineth, as it constrained Paul (2Co_5:14).
4 . WRITTEN FROM Ephesus according to tradition, but no definite statement can be made as to either place or time of writing. The character of the contents indicates a much earlier date than is usually supposed (see Appdx-180).