1John - A Book of Contrasts

One of the distinct features of John’s writing style was his habit of noting both sides of a conflict. He wrote to show the difference between real Christianity and anything else. Here are some of his favorite contrasts.

Contrast between

Passage

Light and darkness

1 John 1:5

The new commandment and the old commandment

2:7, 8

Loving the Father and loving the world

2:15, 16

Christ and Antichrist

2:18

Truth and lies

2:20, 21

Children of God and children of the Devil

3:1-10

Eternal life and eternal death

3:14

Love and hatred

3:15, 16

True prophecy and false prophecy

4:1-3

Love and fear

4:18, 19

Having life and not having life

5:11, 12