English: Easy to Read Version

[1] 1:1 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[2] 1:2 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[3] 1:4 persecute To hurt, cause trouble for, or do bad things to someone, especially because of their beliefs.

[4] 1:5 kingdom See "God's kingdom."

[5] 1:8 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[6] 1:10 holy people Literally, "saints" or "holy ones," a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God's special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.

[7] 1:12 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[8] 2:2 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[9] 2:3 belongs to hell Literally, "is the son of destruction."

[10] 2:4 Temple Probably the special building in Jerusalem where God commanded the Jews to worship.

[11] 2:9 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[12] 2:9 false miracles, signs, and wonders Here, amazing acts done by Satan's power.

[13] 2:13 to be . people Some Greek copies say, "from the beginning."

[14] 2:13 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[15] 2:13 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[16] 2:14 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[17] 2:14 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[18] 2:16-17 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[19] 3:3 Evil One The devil or Satan, the ruler of demons and enemy of God.

[20] 3:15 believer Where this word is marked, it is literally "brother," a term used by followers of Jesus Christ to refer to fellow members of God's family.

[21] 3:18 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.