The Book of 1 John
1 John assures believers of eternal life and calls them to walk in light, truth and love — for God himself is love, and where there is no love there is no God.
- Testament
- New (5 chapters)
- Type
- Epistle
- Date
- Probably 85-95 AD.
God is love
John's most famous line: 'God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him' (4:16). Love is not just something God does — it is who he is. Therefore, anyone who claims to know God and doesn't love is lying (4:20).
Three tests of authentic faith
1 John gives three running tests of whether your faith is real: doctrinal (do you confess Christ?), moral (do you obey?), and relational (do you love your brothers and sisters?). All three together; not just one.
Key verses (KJV)
“God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” — 1 John 4:16 (KJV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” — 1 John 3:1 (KJV)
How to read 1 John
Five short chapters — read slowly, in one sitting. John writes in spirals — he returns to the same themes (light, truth, love) again and again from different angles. Don't fight the repetition; let it form you.
Read 1 John on your iPhone
Read the full book of 1 John in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Book of 1 John about?
1 John is a book of Epistle, running to 5 chapters. Its main threads: God is love; Three tests of authentic faith.
Who wrote the Book of 1 John?
Traditionally John the apostle, author also of the Gospel.
Where does 1 John come in the Bible?
1 John is one of the 27 books of the New Testament in the Protestant canon, grouped with the Epistle books. You can walk the canon in order using the previous and next links on this page.