The Discernment of God’s Will according to the First Epistle of John

Dawid Ledwoń

doi:10.21697/ct.2025.95.3.02

Published: 2025-08-31

Vol. 95 No. 3 (2025)

The Discernment of God’s Will according to the First Epistle of John

Dawid Ledwoń

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2025.95.3.02

Abstract

Among the books of the New Testament, the First Epistle of John may at first appear to treat discerning God’s will as the subject of the author’s marginal concern. However, this article demonstrates that the explicit references to God’s will in 2:17 and 5:14 do not exhaust the topic as presented in the Epistle. The need to do what ‘pleases God,’ as referred to in 3:22, plays a significant role. This exegetical study of the canonical form of the text, which employs a synchronic approach, involves three stages. The first one aims to identify the terms that express God’s will in 1 John. The second defines the actions associated with discerning and fulfilling God’s will. Finally, the third stage consists of a pragmatic analysis of the text. In addition to discussing the effects of knowing and fulfilling God’s will by the Epistle’s addressees; the final part of the study highlights the persuasive function of the Letter, which calls upon its audience to apply the exhortations contained within.

Keywords:

discernment, knowing, God's will, First Epistle of John, exegesis

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Ledwoń, D. (2025). The Discernment of God’s Will according to the First Epistle of John. Collectanea Theologica, 95(3), 455–470. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2025.95.3.02

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Dawid Ledwoń

dawid.ledwon@us.edu.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0075-9212

Affiliation:

University of Silesia in Katowice Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Ks. Dawid Ledwoń (ur. 1984): doktor nauk teologicznych, profesor Uniwersytetu Śląskiego, biblista, absolwent Papieskiego Ateneum Królowej Apostołów w Rzymie oraz Wydziału Teologicznego Uniwersytetu Śląskiego w Katowicach. Zastępca dyrektora Instytutu Nauk Teologicznych w Wydziale Teologicznym Uniwersytetu Śląskiego w Katowicach, pełnomocnik ds. współpracy międzynarodowej, wykładowca Pisma św. Członek Stowarzyszenia Biblistów Polskich. Autor monografii Świadectwo Ojca w czwartej Ewangelii. Studium egzegetyczno-teologiczne (Katowice 2017), Apokalipsa świętego Jana. Wstęp, przekład z oryginału i komentarz (Katowice 2019) oraz szeregu artykułów naukowych. W latach 2015-2021 współautor niedzielnych audycji Na początku było słowo w Radiu eM. Naukowo specjalizuje się w Pismach Janowych.