The Epistles of John

 Though the epistles of John do not name him as the author, he is widely accepted as such in part because the language is so similar to the gospel of John.  For example, John recorded these words of the Savior to Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). In his epistle, John reiterated this central teaching of the gospel saying this in very similar language: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).  The parallels between the gospel and 1^st epistle of John is most evident in those chapters describing the final teachings of the Savior before His death.  The themes of love, obedience, sacrifice, keeping the commandments, and overcoming the world are present in both texts, testifying of their importance for us.  Here are some of the parallel teachings that I see:

·        John recorded these words of the Savior as He was with His apostles the night of the Last Supper: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).  John then referenced this idea of a “new commandment” again in his epistle as he wrote about the love the Saints should develop: “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you” (1 John 2:8).

·        Christ connected the keeping of His commandments with love in these words: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  John repeated these ideas when he wrote, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (John 5:2-3).

·        The Savior taught again about love and commandments in the allegory of the vine: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (John 15:10).  John also taught this same principle in his epistle these words: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments…. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (1 John 2:3-5).  The love of God is manifest in us through our obedience to the commandments that the Savior gave.  

·        Speaking of the persecutions that His disciples would face, Jesus warned, “And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me” (John 16:3). John continued with this theme in his epistle saying, “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1).  The world didn’t know the Savior and it won’t truly recognize those who follow Him either.    

·        The Savior similarly warned His apostles of how the world would treat them in these words: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you…. I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19). In His intercessory prayer the Savior further emphasized, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).  John in his epistle reminded the Church of these things, saying simply, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13).

·        Jesus taught, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  John used this theme in his epistle to teach them to live this principle of love: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).  Our love is most manifest when we our willing to give of our life to serve others as the Savior gave His. 

·        Speaking of the antichrists in the world they would face, John wrote saying, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).  This was likely hearkening back to the words he recorded of the Savior when He said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

·        The Savior prayed to the Father, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).  John similarly testified, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12).  It is through the Son of God that we have life. 

These parallel passages from the gospel and 1^st epistle of John are strong indications that these were written by the same person, and stand as a powerful witness of the Savior, His love, and our need to follow Him with love and obedience to overcome the wickedness of the world.