1 John 1 - Introduction

The First Epistle General of St John] This title exists in very different forms both ancient and modern, and is not original. As we might expect, the oldest authorities are the simplest; thus, 1. Of John A.; 2. First Epistle of John 3. Catholic Epistle of the Holy Apostle John 4. First Epistle of the Evangelist and Apostle John. So also with the English Versions.

-General" means Catholic or Universal. The Epistle is not addressed to any particular Church or individual, but to the whole Church throughout all ages. It is as suitable to the Church of England in the nineteenth century as to that of Ephesus in the first.