Instructions   Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Josue Judges Ruth 1 Kings 2 Kings 3 Kings 4 Kings 1 Paralipomenon 2 Paralipomenon Esdras Nehemiah Tobias Judith Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Isaias Jeremias Lamentations Baruch Ezechiel Daniel Osee Joel Amos Abdias Jonas Micheas Nahum Habacuc Sophonias Aggeus Zacharias Malachias 1 Machabees 2 Machabees Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philipians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Apocalypse   Intro 1 2 3 4 5   ...or just type it:

• Select a chapter from the list above and click GO or...
• View Chapter 1

Introduction to The First Epistle of Saint John the Apostle

The same vein of divine love and charity towards our neighbour, which runs throughout the Gospel written by the beloved disciple and Evangelist, St. John, is found also in his Epistles. He confirms the two principal mysteries of faith: The mystery of the Trinity and the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The sublimity and excellence of the evangelical doctrine he declares: And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother (chap. 4,21). And again: For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments, and: His commandments are not heavy (chap. 5,3). He shews how to distinguish the children of God from those of the devil: marks out those who should be called Antichrists: describes the turpitude and gravity of sin. Finally, he shews how the sinner may hope for pardon. It was written, according to Baronius' account, sixty-six years after our Lord's Ascension.