Final words of 1 John (1 John 5:13-21)

In the conclusion of the book, John gives advice. This is an interesting contrast to the personal remarks that we find at the end of the letters from Paul.  If we think of that, then can presume that  the author intentionally wrote this letter for the entire church to read, as opposed to specific advice for a specific church.

If we look at the other letters attributed to the Apostle John, we find

2 John - to the church as a whole
3 John - to "Gaius"
Revelations - to the "seven churches", which is understood to be the church as a whole.

Here are other things that stand out to me:

Pray according to God's will (v. 14)
These prayers will be heard and if they are heard, they will be granted.  That said, it does not say when these prayers will be answered or what it means to pray according to God's will.


Sins that lead to death and sins that do not (v. 16-17) 
This is an interesting concept.  John does not provide an exact definition of what he refers to.  One possibility is found within this context of the letter.  Much of the letter of focuses on what it means to be "Children of God" and the implications of salvation.  In this context, perhaps John means that sin that does not lead to death is a Christian continuing in error, but the sin is covered by the blood of Jesus.

Stay away from idols (v. 21)
Keeping in mind that this was a letter, it feels like an abrupt ending for the letter.  I wonder if John ran out of room on the original parchment.