Who Wrote 1 John?
1 John was written by the Apostle John, son of Zebedee and disciple of the Lord Jesus around the year 100 CE
| Scholar / Source | Perspective / Focus | Key Insights on Authorship |
|---|---|---|
| Brevard S. Childs (1970) – The Epistles of John (OT/NT Commentary) | Canonical-theological | 1 John reflects the same Johannine theology as the Gospel of John; authorship traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” |
| Gordon D. Fee (1987) – The First Epistle of John (NICNT) | Literary / exegetical | Stylistic and theological parallels to John’s Gospel support common authorship; no explicit self-identification, but early church tradition attributes it to John. |
| F. F. Bruce (1982) – The Epistle of John (Tyndale New Testament Commentary) | Historical / textual | Affirms apostolic authorship; written from Ephesus c. 85–95 CE; addresses early Johannine community combating proto-Gnostic teachings. |
| Raymond E. Brown (1997) – The Epistles of John (Anchor Bible) | Historical-critical | Recognizes Johannine theological identity; authorship by the apostle John possible but could be another elder in the Johannine community. |
| John Calvin (16th c.) – Commentary on the Epistles of John | Reformed theological | Attributes authorship to the Apostle John; emphasizes doctrinal and moral consistency with Gospel of John. |
| Matthew Henry (1710) – Commentary on the Whole Bible | Devotional / pastoral | Affirms apostolic authorship; stresses spiritual and ethical instruction consistent with John’s Gospel. |
| Rashi (1040–1105) – Jewish Commentary | Jewish exegetical | While not commenting directly on New Testament authorship, medieval Jewish scholarship sometimes notes early Christian tradition identifies John as the writer. |
| Hermann Cremer (19th c.) – Biblico-Theological Lexicon / Commentary | Historical-theological | Supports traditional Johannine authorship; emphasizes style, vocabulary, and theological consistency. |
| Kirsopp Lake (1912) – The Text of the Epistles of John | Text-critical / historical | Confirms textual unity with 2–3 John and stylistic overlap with the Gospel of John; authorship by same community or author probable. |
| J. A. T. Robinson (20th c.) – Redating the New Testament | Critical / historical | Suggests late 1st century authorship; authorship by John the Apostle plausible, though could reflect Johannine school. |
1 John 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
References:
John Calvin (1509–1564). Commentary on the Epistles of John. Geneva, 1555.
—Affirms apostolic authorship of 1 John, consistent with the Gospel of John.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Epistles of John. London, 1710.
—Devotional and doctrinal discussion; supports traditional Johannine authorship.
Hermann Cremer (1834–1903). Biblico-Theological Lexicon / Commentary on the Epistles of John. Leipzig, 19th century.
—Emphasizes stylistic and theological unity with the Gospel of John.
Kirsopp Lake (1872–1946). The Text of the Epistles of John. London, 1912.
—Text-critical analysis supporting unity and probable common authorship with Gospel of John.
J. A. Bengel (1687–1752). Gnomon Novi Testamenti, Epistles of John. Tübingen, 18th century.
—Exegetical commentary; traditional view of apostolic authorship.
Brevard S. Childs (1970). The Epistles of John: A Theological Commentary. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
—Canonical-theological perspective; emphasizes Johannine community and theological consistency.
Gordon D. Fee (1987). The First Epistle of John (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
—Literary and exegetical analysis; argues for authorship by the same figure as the Gospel of John.
F. F. Bruce (1982). The Epistle of John (Tyndale New Testament Commentary). London: Inter-Varsity Press.
—Historical and textual overview; affirms apostolic authorship while addressing early heresies.
Raymond E. Brown (1997). The Epistles of John (Anchor Bible). New York: Doubleday.
—Historical-critical perspective; authorship possibly by John the Apostle or an elder of the Johannine community.
J. A. T. Robinson (1976). Redating the New Testament. London: SCM Press.
—Discusses late 1st century composition and authorship questions; supports plausibility of apostolic John.
Robert M. Grant (1965). The Letters of John: Text and Commentary. New York: Harper & Row.
—Focuses on literary, theological, and historical aspects supporting traditional Johannine authorship.
