A structural analysis of 1 John 1

Abstract

Jones argues that while Law and Bultmann have made significant contributions to our understanding the structure of 1 John, neither provides a completely persuasive argument. Jones argues that 1 John is a pastoral-polemic communication with an organic unity with three movements of thought: (i) God as light (1:5–2:27); (ii) God as righteousness (2:28–4:6); and (iii) God as love (4:7–5:12). Moreover, Jones asserts that abiding in God is the principal metaphor for 1 John, expressed theologically as believing in Christ Jesus and expressed ethically as loving one another.