The Gospel in 1 John: Key Bible Verses & Commentary

A short resource on the Gospel in 1 John to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith.

Authored by the Apostle John, the First Epistle of John is known as a deep theological work that emphasizes the nature of God as light and love. 1 John also shows the implications of this truth for the life of believers. Central to 1 John is the message of the Gospel, highlighting that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully human.

The letter addresses key themes like the assurance of salvation, the necessity of walking in the light, and the imperative of love among believers. John writes to affirm the believers in their faith, warn against false teaching, and encourage them to live in a manner consistent with the truth of the Gospel.

In 1 John 1:5. John writes: "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." This shows us how the incarnation of Christ is a fundamental aspect of the Gospel.

John stresses the reality of Jesus coming in the flesh, countering the early heresies that denied His true humanity. See 1 John 4:2: "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:" This affirmation of the incarnation underscores shows us the truth of Christ's earthly ministry, death, and resurrection, which are central to the Gospel message.

In this guide to the Gospel in 1 John, we showcase Scriptures (using the King James Version) that best help the Christian zoom in on the Good News using this specific book as a lens. Each verse is accompanied by concise commentary to provide the takeaway in layman's terms. Our goal in this and all the other Gospel in the New Testament Series articles is to show how 1 John presents the doctrine that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel in 1 John Showcased in Scripture

• 1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

This verse shows us the importance of living in truth and righteousness, fostering Christian fellowship, and receiving ongoing cleansing from sin through Christ's blood atonement.

• 1 John 1:9: "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 teaches that if we confess our sins through repentance, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• 1 John 2:1-2: "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

1 John 2:1-2 addresses believers, encouraging them not to sin but offering reassurance that if anyone does sin, they have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, who is all-righteous. It states that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world - if we accept Him.

• 1 John 2:25: "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."

We see here the promise that God has given to believers: eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord.

• 1 John 3:5: "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."

1 John 3:5 shows that Jesus was sent forth to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

• 1 John 3:16: "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."

This verse emphasizes the sacrificial nature of true love, modeled by Christ's death on the cross. The Scriptures instruct believers to show the same kind of sacrificial love toward one another as well.

• 1 John 4:9-10: "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. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

John explains that God's love was revealed when He sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. This love is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a propitiation for our sins.

• 1 John 4:14-15: "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."

John testifies that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world, and whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in them, and they in God. We see here the importance of acknowledging Jesus as the Savior and Son of God.

• 1 John 5:11-12: "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

The testimony of God shows us here that He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. It simply states that whoever has the Son has life, and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

• 1 John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

1 John 5:13 explains that the purpose of the letter is to assure those who believe in the name of the Son of God that they have eternal life. It emphasizes the confidence believers can have in their salvation.

These verses from 1 John emphasize the cleansing power of Christ's blood, the forgiveness of sins, the advocacy of Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life. Together, it's easy to see the core message of the Gospel: salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Let us not forget the role of love in all this. See 1 John 4:7-8: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." John says that love for God and love for one another are inseparable. See 1 John 4:20: "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"