The author of John's Gospel is clearly the apostle John, however there has been some confusion on the authorship of the letters of John and John's Book of Revelation since the time of Eusebius, an early church bishop and historian. The confusion came early on from what appears to be a misinterpretation of Papias' words by Eusebius. Papias calls John the "disciple of the Lord" and an "elder" which Eusebius takes as meaning two seperate Johns (Eusebius, Church History, 3.39.5-6). Instead, it appears that he used the terms interchangably, and since the setting, name, writing style, and apostolic testimony all strongly suggest the same author, it is most likely that the apostle John wrote the Gospel, Epistles, and Book of Revelation.
This Epistle is altogether worthy of the spirit of that disciple who, above others, was loved by Christ, that he might exhibit him as a friend to us. It contains doctrines mixed with exhortations; for he speaks of the eternal Deity of Christ, and at the same time of the incomparable grace which he brought with him when he appeared in the world, and generally of all his blessings; and he especially commends and extols the inestimable grace of divine adoption. On these truths he grounds his exhortations; and at one time he admonishes us in general to lead a pious and holy life, and at another time he expressly enjoins love. He particularly urges brotherly love: he also touches on other things, such as to beware of impostors.
I. Introduction: The Word of Life (1:1-4)
II. True Fellowship with God (1:5-2:12)
III. Three Steps of Faith (2:13-27)
IV. Characteristics of the Children of God (2:28-4:6)
V. The Love of God (4:7-21)
VI. Assurance of Faith (5:1-21)
I. Introduction: The Word of Life (1:1-4)
II. True Fellowship with God (1:5-2:12)
A. Requirements (1:5-10)
B. God's Help (2:1-2)
C. Obedience and Love (2:3-12)
III. Three Steps of Faith (2:13-27)
A. Fathers (2:13-14)
B. Young Men (2:15-17)
C. Little Children (2:18-27)
IV. Characteristics of the Children of God (2:28-29)
A. Awaiting Christ (2:28-3:3)
B. Abide in Christ (3:4-10)
C. Abide in Love (3:11-18)
D. Confidence (3:19-24)
E. Try the Spirits (4:1-6)
V. The Love of God (4:7-4:6)
A. The Love of God Toward Us (4:7-10)
B. The Love of God Perfected in Us
(4:11-16)
C. The Love of God Made Perfect (4:17-21)
VI. Assurance of Faith (5:1-21)
A. Energy of Faith (5:1-5)
B. The Testimony of God (5:6-12)
C. The Fruit of Faith (5:13-21)
F. F. Bruce, The Gospel & Epistles of John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994).
Gregory Goswell, The Johannine Corpus and the Unity of the New Testament Canon, JETS 61.4 (2018), 717-33.
Conrad Mbewe, 1 John with Conrad Mbewe.
Robert Yarbrough, 2 John with Staurt Olyott.
Steven Lawson, Steven Lawson – 1 John – Bible Study.