The Book of 1 John — Hard Bible Trivia Flashcards

#1

In 1 John 1:1-3, what three sensory experiences does John claim to have had with the Word of Life?

📖 1 John 1:1-3

#2

According to 1 John 2:16, what three things belong to the world and not to God the Father?

📖 1 John 2:16

#3

In 1 John 2:27, what does John say believers have received that teaches them about all things?

📖 1 John 2:27

#4

What is the specific sin that is described in 1 John 5:16 as the 'sin that leads to death'?

📖 1 John 5:16-17

#5

In 1 John 1:9, what two actions does John say God will do when believers confess their sins?

📖 1 John 1:9

#6

What phrase does John use repeatedly throughout 1 John to test whether someone possesses the Holy Spirit and abides in God?

📖 1 John 2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2-3

#7

In 1 John 3:4, how does John define sin theologically?

📖 1 John 3:4

#8

According to 1 John 4:7-8, what fundamental characteristic does John attribute to God in the most absolute terms?

📖 1 John 4:7-8

#2

Pride of life, lust of flesh, and lust of the eyes

John identifies these three worldly desires as exemplifying the sinful nature opposed to God's character, drawing from the broader triadic structure of 1 John 2:15-17.

1 John 2:16

#1

Heard, seen, and touched

John emphasizes direct physical encounter with the incarnate Word through hearing, seeing, and touching, refuting Gnostic denials of Christ's physical reality.

1 John 1:1-3

#4

John does not explicitly identify what this sin is; interpretation varies

John mentions a 'sin that leads to death' but deliberately does not specify which sin this refers to, leaving it ambiguous and sparking centuries of theological debate among scholars.

1 John 5:16-17

#3

The Holy Spirit's anointing

John refers to the anointing received from the Holy Spirit (Greek: chrisma) that dwells in believers and serves as an internal teacher against false doctrine.

1 John 2:27

#6

'Keeps his commandments' or 'keeps his commands'

John uses the refrain that obedience to God's commandments is a primary test of genuine faith and the indwelling Spirit (1 John 2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2-3).

1 John 2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2-3

#5

Forgive and cleanse

John states that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, establishing both judicial (forgive) and relational (cleanse) restoration.

1 John 1:9

#8

Love (stated as 'God is love')

John makes the radical theological assertion that love is God's very essence ('God is love' in 1 John 4:8), marking the apex of 1 John's teaching on divine nature.

1 John 4:7-8

#7

Lawlessness or transgression of the law

John defines sin specifically as anomia (lawlessness), establishing that sin is fundamentally opposition to God's established moral order and law.

1 John 3:4

#9

What future event does John reference in 1 John 3:2 regarding believers' transformation?

📖 1 John 3:2

#10

In 1 John 2:18-19, what does John claim about the 'antichrists' in relation to the early church?

📖 1 John 2:18-19

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#10

They have come out from among believers but never truly belonged to the church

John indicates that these antichrists (likely Gnostic heretics) departed from the church, revealing they never belonged to it, suggesting false doctrine emerges from within the Christian community.

1 John 2:18-19

#9

When Christ appears, believers will see Him as He is and be transformed to be like Him

John describes an eschatological transformation where believers will see Christ as He is and become like Him at His appearing, connecting Christology to eschatology and sanctification.

1 John 3:2

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