John First Epistle of

"The fourth of the catholic or "general" epistles. It was" "evidently written by John the evangelist, and probably also at" "Ephesus, and when the writer was in advanced age. The purpose of" the apostle (1:1-4) is to declare the Word of Life to those to "whom he writes, in order that they might be united in fellowship" with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. He shows that the "means of union with God are, (1) on the part of Christ, his" "atoning work (1:7; 2:2; 3:5; 4:10, 14; 5:11, 12) and his" "advocacy (2:1); and (2), on the part of man, holiness (1:6)," "obedience (2:3), purity (3:3), faith (3:23; 4:3; 5:5), and love" "(2:7, 8; 3:14; 4:7; 5:1)."