a. The love that God requires (2:7–11)
larger and larger, each time spreading the same truth over a wider area and encompassing more territory. Others have seen the spiral as moving inward, penetrating deeper and deeper into the same themes while expanding on his thoughts. However one views the spiraling pattern, John uses repetition of basic truths as a means to accentuate their importance and to help his readers understand and remember them.
Outline
I. The Fundamental Tests of Genuine Fellowship—SPIRAL I (1:1–2:17)
A. The Fundamental Tests of Doctrine (1:1–2:2)
1. A biblical view of Christ (1:1–4) 2. A biblical view of sin (1:5–2:2) B. The Fundamental Tests of Morals (2:3–17)
1. A biblical view of obedience (2:3–6) 2. A biblical view of love (2:7–17) a. The love that God requires (2:7–11) b. The love that God hates (2:12–17) II. The Fundamental Tests of Genuine Fellowship—SPIRAL II (2:18–3:24)
A. Part 2 of the Doctrinal Test (2:18–27)
1. Antichrists depart from Christian fellowship (2:18–21) 2. Antichrists deny the Christian faith (2:22–25) 3. Antichrists deceive the Christian faithful (2:26–27) B. Part 2 of the Moral Test (2:28–3:24)
1. The purifying hope of the Lord's return (2:28–3:3) 2. The Christian's incompatibility with sin (3:4–24) a. The requirement of righteousness (3:4–10) b. The requirement of love (3:11–24) III. The Fundamental Tests of Genuine Fellowship—SPIRAL III (4:1–21)
A. Part 3 of the Doctrinal Test (4:1–6)
1. The demonic source of false doctrine (4:1–3) 2. The need for sound doctrine (4:4–6) B. Part 3 of the Moral Test (4:7–21)
1. God's character of love (4:7–10) 2. God's requirement of love (4:11–21) IV. The Fundamental Tests of Genuine Fellowship—SPIRAL IV (5:1–21)