Candlish's exposition of 1 John was the ripe fruit of years of careful and loving study of the great themes in Johannine teaching. His aim was not so much to produce a detailed technical commentary after the fashion of much exegesis in the new German tradition, but to set on display the heights and depths of the theology of John's letter: 'it can be studied aright exegetically, only when it is studied theologically.' His driving purpose, like that of the apostle, is to see truth and joyful assurance born and brought to maturity in the hearts of his readers. The multi-faceted privileges of fellowship with the Father and the Son through the Spirit are constantly brought to the fore.