1,2,3 John: Agape Love Is NOT Unconditional Love?

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What does it actually mean to “know” God?

In this episode of the DetermineTruth Podcast, Vinnie and Rob explore 1, 2, and 3 John—three fascinating New Testament writings centered on truth, love, obedience, fellowship, and what it means to genuinely know God.

We begin with some important background questions. Did the Apostle John actually write 1, 2, and 3 John? Why is 1 John technically anonymous while 2 and 3 John identify their author simply as “the elder”? What was the Johannine community? And what can early Christian writers like Papias, Polycarp, and Ignatius tell us about the world in which these writings emerged?

Then we turn to one of the most important themes in 1 John: knowledge.

John repeatedly talks about knowing God—but the Greek text reveals something that can be easy to miss in English translations. The letter uses different Greek words for knowledge, including ginōskō and oida, as John connects what Christians know intellectually with what they have experienced and demonstrated through their lives.

That leads to a challenging question:

Can we really claim to know God if the way we live contradicts what we say we believe?

For 1 John, knowing God is not merely possessing correct theological information. Knowing Christ produces a life characterized by obedience, righteousness, love for others, and participation in the life of the Christian community.

Vinnie Angelo & Rob Dalrymple

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Music: “Love is Against the Grain” (Dime Store Prophets)