ofound and mystical, but the language is simple both in
words and in sentences. The arguments are by immediate inference.
Their are many contrasts, parallelisms and repetitions with no figures
of speech except perhaps the words light and darkness.

The Purpose. The chief purpose was to tell them how they might know
that they had eternal life, 5:13. The accomplishment of this purpose
would also assure the fulfillment of the secondary purpose stated in
1:3, 4.

Theme. The evidence of eternal life.

Analysis

Introduction, 1:1-4.

I. How Those Who Possess Eternal Life will Live, 1:5-5:12.

1. They will dwell in the light, 1:5-2:28.

2. They will do righteousness, 2:29-4:6.

3. They will live a life of love, 4:7-5:3.

4. They will walk by faith, 5:4-12.

II. What Those who Live such Lives may Know, 5:13-20.

1. That they have eternal life. 13.

2. That their prayers are answered, 14-17.

3. That God's people do not live in sin, 18.

4. Their true relation to God and to Christ, 19-20.

Conclusion, 5:21.

The following analysis made with the idea of the theme being
"Fellowship with God" (1:3-4) is very suggestive.

Introduction, 1:1-4.

I. God is Light and our fellowship with him depends upon our walking
in the light, 1:5-2:28.

II. God la Righteous and our fellowship with him depends upon our
doing righteousness, 2-29, 4:6.

III. God is Love and our fellowship with him depends upon our having
and manifesting a spirit of love, 4:7-5:3.

IV. God Is Faithful and our fellowship with him depends upon our
exercising faith in him, 5:4-12.

Conclusion. 5:13-21 end.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The different things we may know and how
we may know them. Make a list giving reference, as, "know Him if we
keep His commandments" (2:3). (2) Make a list of the things defined in
the following scriptures, and give the definition in each case: 1:5;
2:25; 3:11, 3:23; 5:3; 5:4; 5:11; 5:14. (3) The several figures and
attributes of God, as light, righteousness and love. (4) The
requirements of deeds of righteousness, 1:6, 7; 2:9-11; 3:17-23. (5)
God's love for his children, 3:1-2; 4:8-11, 16, 19. (6) Christians'
duty to love one another, 2:10; 3:10-24; 4:7-21; 5:1-2. (7) The
propitiatory death of Jesus Christ, 1:7; 2:1-2; 4:10. (8) Difference
between Christians and non-Christians, 3:4-10. How many times do each
of the following words occur? Love, light, life, know, dar