Outline:
I. Introduction and Purpose of the Letter (1:1-4)

II. Conditions Vital for Fellowship (1:5-2:2)

A. Walking in the Light (1:5-7)

B. Confession of Sin (1:8-2:2)

III. Conduct Consistent With Fellowship (2:3-27)

A. The Character of Fellowship—Being Like Christ (2:3-11)

B. The Commandment of Fellowship—Loving Not the World (2:12-17)

C. The Cautions for Fellowship—Guarding Against Antichrist (2:18-27)

IV. Characteristics of Fellowship (2:28-5:3)

A. Purity in View of Our Prospect (2:28-3:3)

B. Practice of Righteousness in View of Christ’s Death (3:4-24)

C. Proving (Testing) the Spirits (4:1-6)

D. Pattern of Fellowship, Loving as Christ Loved (4:7-5:3)

V. Consequences of Fellowship (5:4-21)

A. Victory Over the World (5:4-5)

B. Verification of Christ’s Credentials (5:6-12)

C. Verification (Assurance) of the Believer’s Salvation (5:13)

D. Verification of Answered Prayer (5:14-17)

E. Victory from Habitual Sin (5:18-21)