Hansjörg Schmidt, «How to Read the First Epistle of John Non-Polemically», Vol. 85 (2004) 24-41
When reading 1 John most contemporary interpretors stress its polemical character and use the opponents as a key for the whole text. In contrast to them, this article proposes a non-polemical reading which treats the opponents only as a minor feature of 1 John and denies the possibility of mirror-reading the epistle. The article shows the merits, but also the inconsistencies of already existing non-polemical readings of 1 John. It describes the relationship between 1 John and John as an intertextual reading-process and views the opponents as literary contrasting figures. They form a part of an apocalyptic scenario and are related to the main ethical theme of 1 John. The pragmatic function of the excursus-like opponent texts(1 John 2,18-27; 4,1-6) is to strengthen and reassure the reader by demonstrating that he or she is immune to the opponent’s denial of the christological confession. On this basis, the ethical parenesis takes place, the urgency of which is stressed by the apocalyptic motifs. As a result, the reader tries to avoid an ethical transgression by which he or she would become like the christological opponents, who thus function as a counter-concept to the community.
36 Hansjörg Schmid
The apocalyptic scenario has been described as typical for the
opponent texts in 1 John, where it is made concrete by an opposition
of confession and denial. Now the question arises which role this
scenario plays in the macro-context of 1 John. Although its function is
complex, the principal function is related to the main theme of 1 John
which will now be considered.
2. Faith as a Basis for Love
The relationship of love and faith is a central question of the
Johannine system. It can be answered by both looking at the position
of the opponent texts in 1 John and taking into account the intertextual
dimension which results together with John. Faith and the
christological issues depicted in 2,18-27; 4,1-6 are not the main topic
of 1 John, but the two texts are integrated within a chain of
argumentation about ethics and sin.
First, the two opponent texts function as excursuses depicting an
apocalyptic scenario that urges the reader to walk in the right way with
his or her deeds. The fact that it is the last hour makes the ethical
exhortation more urgent and forceful. The one who does God’s will
remains in eternity (2,17) and therefore needs not fear the last hour.
The verses 2,28.29 move again to the ethical issue, which thus frames
the christological excursus in 2,18-27. This is made evident by the
recurring phrase oJ poiw'n to; qevlhma tou' qeou' in 2,17 and 2,28.
Likewise, verse 4,7 (following the two-spirits-scenario with chris-
tological phrases in 4,1-6) is an exhortation in the first person to love
one another continuing the theme of 3,11-24.
Second, the two opponent texts operate as a basis for the ethical
parenesis (49): having surpassed the scenario of danger, the reader
returns strengthened to the ethical issues. Moreover, the main function
of the two texts is not to deal with the opponents and their position, but
to articulate words of encouragement to the reader so that the
opponents are rather an instrument of self-assurance. This is evident
again in both opponent texts: 2,20.27 stress that the reader has the
“chrismaâ€, which finally makes him or her immune to the dangers of
the antichrists, and 4,4.6 emphasize that the reader is “from Godâ€, so
that it is absolutely clear on which side he or she stands. He or she has
received God’s gifts and is able on this basis to act correspondingly.
(49) A.E. BROOKE, The Johannine Epistles (ICC; Edinburgh 1912) 117 speaks
of “love based on faithâ€.
FOLLOW US