{"id":2553,"date":"2022-05-01T17:05:29","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T00:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thepursuitofholiness\/?p=2553"},"modified":"2022-05-01T17:05:29","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T00:05:29","slug":"1-john-a-literary-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thepursuitofholiness\/2022\/05\/1-john-a-literary-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"1 John: A Literary Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

The genre of the work in question has an impact on how it is interpreted.\u00a0 There are several examples within the pages of Holy Writ that hep demonstrate this point.\u00a0 The book of Revelation\u2019s primary genre is Apocalyptic.\u00a0 We would apply different standards to Revelation than the Gospel of Matthew which is an ancient biography.\u00a0 With that in mind it is essential to understand the genre, and any sub-genres, of John so we can properly interpret the passage in question.\u00a0 This article is a companion piece for another I wrote on 1 John which can be read here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Genre of 1 John<\/h3>\n

First and foremost, the genre of 1 John is that of a letter or epistle, but it does not fit completely into that category[1]<\/a>.\u00a0 As previously stated, it lacks some of the standard features of a letter, such as a salutation[2]<\/a>.\u00a0 This leads to an issue for simply categorizing it as a letter since it is not only missing a salutation, but it does not mention a specific audience or have a closing.\u00a0 These were all categories included in a letter in the Greco-Roman world[3]<\/a>.\u00a0 This has led some to think that the letter was a sermon that was written down[4]<\/a>.\u00a0 Though that is logical, there are several parts of 1 John that state that the author is indeed writing.\u00a0 So, although it does not fit in the tight box of a letter it is best categorized as one.<\/p>\n

This leads to another situation in which we must determine the type of letter that is being written.\u00a0 Raymond Brown has an interesting hypothesis that the structure of 1 John mirrors that of the Gospel of John and as such that helps identify structure and argumentation[5]<\/a>.\u00a0 Brown goes on to states that the letter is a commentary of the parts of the Gospel of John that the opponents have taken and twisted into their own belief.\u00a0 The view is intriguing, and even plausible, but it does not lend itself to genre but more towards authorship.<\/p>\n

\"John,<\/p>\n

A Circular Letter?<\/h3>\n

The theory that the letter was a circular letter to various communities is the most plausible.\u00a0 This would account for the lack of an opening and closing since it was not meant for only one community, but for all those in Asia Minor who were experiencing the issues in the letter[6]<\/a>.\u00a0 Letters of the time also contains rhetorical devices and there were three prevalent types of rhetoric during this period.\u00a0 There was judicial rhetoric which related to truth and justice, deliberative rhetoric which related to interests of self, and epideictic rhetoric which related to values and attitudes[7]<\/a>.\u00a0 It is meant to reinforce and reaffirm what is already held by the reader.<\/p>\n

It is epideictic rhetoric that is utilized in this letter, and it is very evident in 1 John 1:1-10.\u00a0 This occurs after the prologue 1 John 1:5-6 where the author utilizes praise and blame[8]<\/a>.\u00a0 There is a clear message that was taught, and if it is not adhered to then we are not practicing truth.\u00a0 This type of rhetoric lends itself to a lack of structure which fits 1 John quite nicely.\u00a0 Within the pages of 1 John there is also evidence off a rhetorical technique that is known as amplification.\u00a0 John is often repetitive, and he does this for good reason.\u00a0 This repetitiveness would lend itself to memorization and would help him get his point across in an emphatic manner. This forceful language can be seen in 1 John 1:8-10.\u00a0 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and are calling Christ a liar.\u00a0 Strong language indeed.<\/p>\n

1 John and Crucial Doctrine<\/h3>\n

The selected passage of 1 John 1:1-10<\/a> is a key component to the rest of the letter and lays the foundation for what the Apostle has to say.\u00a0 Remember the opponents who denied that Christ came in the flesh.\u00a0 This passage is crucial and lays out the theology of the incarnation.\u00a0 That Jesus the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, became man.\u00a0 John testifies to this and with his eyewitness testimony and states that he touched him.\u00a0 It is that Jesus, and no other, that you need to follow, and you will have joy[9]<\/a>.\u00a0 The rest of the letter discusses anti-Christs as those who do not believe in Jesus\u2019s humanity, how if we repent and confess that Jesus will cleanse us, and how we need to keep our eyes on Him and on his truth.\u00a0 It lays the foundation for everything that is to come in the letter.<\/p>\n

\"la<\/p>\n

Works Cited<\/h3>\n

[1]<\/a>. Kruse, Letters of John<\/em>, 35.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a>. Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament<\/em> (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014), 706.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a>. Bennett, 1\u20133 John<\/em>, 13.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a>. Ibid.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a>. Raymond E. Brown, The Epistles of John<\/em> (New Haven: Anchor Bible, 1982), 371.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a>. Kruse, Letters of John<\/em>, 35.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a>. Akin, The North American Commentary<\/em>, 42.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a>. Terry Griffith, Keep Yourselves from Idols: A New Look at 1 John<\/em> (London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2002), 18.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a>. David L. Allen, 1-3 John: Fellowship in God\u2019s Family<\/em> (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 18.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The genre of the work in question has an impact on how it is interpreted.\u00a0 There are several examples within the pages of Holy Writ that hep demonstrate this point.\u00a0 The book of Revelation\u2019s primary genre is Apocalyptic.\u00a0 We would apply different standards to Revelation than the Gospel of Matthew which is an ancient biography.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4296,"featured_media":2511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1554,284,1226],"class_list":["post-2553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-1-john","tag-bible","tag-doctrine"],"yoast_head":"\n1 John: A Literary Analysis<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"First and foremost, the genre of 1 John is that of a letter or epistle, but it does not fit completely into that category.\" \/>\n<meta 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