Book Overview - 1 John

by Joseph Benson

FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF JOHN.

PREFACE

Concerning the apostle and evangelist John, to whom this epistle, (or treatise rather,) as well as the gospel which bears his name, has been justly ascribed by all the earliest and best Christian writers without hesitation, see the preface to his gospel. Indeed, that the same person was the author of both works, is evident from the similarity, or rather sameness, of the sentiments and expressions which runs through them both. A great many instances of this are enumerated by Dr. Macknight in his preface to this epistle, a few of which shall be here mentioned.

EPISTLE.

1 John 1:1, That which was from the beginning, — ο εθεασαμεθα, which we have looked upon concerning the word of life.

1 John 2:6, He who saith he abideth in him, ought himself to walk even as he walked.

1 John 2:8, A new commandment I write unto you.

1 John 3:11, This is the message, that we should love one another.

1 John 2:10, He that loveth, &c., abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

1 John 3:8, He who committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.

1 John 4:9, In this was manifested the love of God, &c., that God sent his only-begotten Son, &c., that we might live through him. 1 John 4:12, No man hath seen God at any time.

1 John 5:13, These things have I written to you who believe, &c., that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe, &c.

GOSPEL.

John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word. — John 1:14, And, εθεασαμεθα, we beheld his glory. — John 1:4, In him was life.

John 15:4, Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, &c., no more can ye except ye abide in me.