I. Introduction: the purpose of the epistle 1:1-4
II. Living in the light 1:5-2:29
A. God as light 1:5-7
B. Conditions for living in the light 1:8-2:29
1. Renouncing sin 1:8-2:2
2. Obeying God 2:3-11
3. Rejecting worldliness 2:12-17
4. Keeping the faith 2:18-29
III. Living as children of God 3:1-5:13
A. God as Father 3:1-3
B. Conditions for living as God's children 3:4-5:13
1. Renouncing sin reaffirmed 3:4-9
2. Obeying God reaffirmed 3:10-24
3. Rejecting worldliness reaffirmed 4:1-6
4. Practicing love 4:7-5:4
5. Keeping the faith reaffirmed 5:5-13
IV. Conclusion: Christian confidence 5:14-21
A. Confidence in action: prayer 5:14-17
B. Certainty of knowledge: assurance 5:18-20
C. A final warning: idolatry 5:21
Another outline that captures the cyclical pattern of John's thought is the following.10
I. Prologue 1:1-4
II. First cycle 1:5-2:28
A. Righteousness 1:5-2:6
B. Love 2:7-17
C. Belief 2:18-28
III. Second cycle 2:29-4:6
A. Righteousness 2:29-3:10a
B. Love 3:10b-24a
C. Belief 3:24b-4:6
IV. Third cycle 4:7-5:12
A. Love 4:7-21
B. Righteousness 5:1-5
C. Belief 5:6-21
Scholars have struggled to determine the structure of this epistle and have suggested many diverse outlines of the book.11
