And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
These verses, rather than 1 John 5:13, constitute the comprehensive purpose statement of the epistle. There are four purpose statements in 1 John (1 John 1:3-4; 1 John 2:1; 1 John 5:13) plus 10 imperatives (1 John 2:15; 1 John 2:24; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:13; 1 John 4:1 [2 times]; 1 John 5:21) any of which could possibly provide John’s purpose for writing. But 1 John 1:3-4 give his most comprehensive primary and secondary purposes in writing. [Note: Yarbrough, p. 46. See also Smalley, p. 15; and Gary W. Derickson, "What Is the Message of 1 John?" Bibliotheca Sacra 150:597 (January-March 1993):89-105.] 