1 John5
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments.
3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
5And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.
7And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
8For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.
9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.
10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne concerning his Son.
11And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life.
13These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.
14And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
15and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
16If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.
17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.
19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.
20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21My little children, guard yourselves from idols.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 John 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Brotherly love is the effect of the new birth, which makes obedience to all God's commandments pleasant. (1–5). Reference to witnesses agreeing to prove that Jesus, the Son of God, is the true Messiah. (6–8). The satisfaction the believer has about Christ, and eternal life through him. (9–12). The assurance of God's hearing and answering prayer. (13–17). The happy condition of true believers, and a charge to renounce all idolatry. (18–21).
vv1-5
True love for the people of God, may be distinguished from natural kindness or party attachments, by its being united with the love of God, and obedience to his commands. The same Holy Spirit that taught the love, will have taught obedience also; and that man cannot truly love the children of God, who, by habit, commits sin or neglects known duty. As God's commands are holy, just, and good rules of liberty and happiness, so those who are born of God and love him, do not count them grievous, but lament that they cannot serve him more perfectly. Self-denial is required, but true Christians have a principle which carries them above all hinderances. Though the conflict often is sharp, and the regenerate may be cast down, yet he will rise up and renew his combat with resolution. But all, except believers in Christ, are enslaved in some respect or other, to the customs, opinions, or interests of the world. Faith is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armour by which we overcome. In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and in opposition to the world. Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains sway and dominion over souls. It has the indwelling Spirit of grace, which is greater than he who dwells in the world. The real Christian overcomes the world by faith; he sees, in and by the life and conduct of the Lord Jesus on earth, that this world is to be renounced and overcome. He cannot be satisfied with this world, but looks beyond it, and is still tending, striving, and pressing toward heaven. We must all, after Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin.
vv6-8
We are inwardly and outwardly defiled; inwardly, by the power and pollution of sin in our nature. For our cleansing there is in and by Christ Jesus, the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Some think that the two sacraments are here meant: baptism with water, as the outward sign of regeneration, and purifying from the pollution of sin by the Holy Spirit; and the Lord's supper, as the outward sign of the shedding Christ's blood, and the receiving him by faith for pardon and justification. Both these ways of cleansing were represented in the old ceremonial sacrifices and cleansings. This water and blood include all that is necessary to our salvation. By the water, our souls are washed and purified for heaven and the habitation of saints in light. By the blood, we are justified, reconciled, and presented righteous to God. By the blood, the curse of the law being satisfied, the purifying Spirit is obtained for the internal cleansing of our natures. The water, as well as the blood, came out of the side of the sacrificed Redeemer. He loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, Eph 5:25–27. This was done in and by the Spirit of God, according to the Saviour's declaration. He is the Spirit of God, and cannot lie. Three had borne witness to these doctrines concerning the person and the salvation of Christ. The Father, repeatedly, by a voice from heaven declared that Jesus was his beloved Son. The Word declared that He and the Father were One, and that whoever had seen him had seen the Father. And the Holy Ghost, who descended from heaven and rested on Christ at his baptism; who had borne witness to Him by all the prophets; and gave testimony to his resurrection and mediatorial office, by the gift of miraculous powers to the apostles. But whether this passage be cited or not, the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity stands equally firm and certain. To the doctrine taught by the apostles, respecting the person and salvation of Christ, there were three testimonies. 1. The Holy Spirit. We come into the world with a corrupt, carnal disposition, which is enmity to God. This being done away by the regeneration and new-creating of souls by the Holy Spirit, is a testimony to the Saviour. 2. The water: this sets forth the Saviour's purity and purifying power. The actual and active purity and holiness of his disciples are represented by baptism. 3. The blood which he shed: and this was our ransom, this testifies for Jesus Christ; it sealed up and finished the sacrifices of the Old Testament. The benefits procured by his blood, prove that he is the Saviour of the world. No wonder if he that rejects this evidence is judged a blasphemer of the Spirit of God. These three witnesses are for one and the same purpose; they agree in one and the same thing.
vv9-12
Nothing can be more absurd than the conduct of those who doubt as to the truth of Christianity, while in the common affairs of life they do not hesitate to proceed on human testimony, and would deem any one out of his senses who declined to do so. The real Christian has seen his guilt and misery, and his need of such a Saviour. He has seen the suitableness of such a Saviour to all his spiritual wants and circumstances. He has found and felt the power of the word and doctrine of Christ, humbling, healing, quickening, and comforting his soul. He has a new disposition, and new delights, and is not the man that he formerly was. Yet he finds still a conflict with himself, with sin, with the flesh, the world, and wicked powers. But he finds such strength from faith in Christ, that he can overcome the world, and travel on towards a better. Such assurance has the gospel believer: he has a witness in himself, which puts the matter out of doubt with him, except in hours of darkness or conflict; but he cannot be argued out of his belief in the leading truths of the gospel. Here is what makes the unbeliever's sin so awful; the sin of unbelief. He gives God the lie; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. It is in vain for a man to plead that he believes the testimony of God in other things, while he rejects it in this. He that refuses to trust and honour Christ as the Son of God, who disdains to submit to his teaching as Prophet, to rely on his atonement and intercession as High Priest, or to obey him as King, is dead in sin, under condemnation; nor will any outward morality, learning, forms, notions, or confidences avail him.
Key Words
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
πιστεύω (pisteúō): to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
ἐστί (estí): he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
γεννάω (gennáō): to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 John 5Those who believe in Christ are born (begotten) of God, not of flesh or human will.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The physical coming of Jesus 'by water and blood' directly echoes the piercing of His side.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Christ's commandments and yoke are described as 'not grievous' or 'light'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Christ cleanses the church with the washing of water by the word, using both water and blood.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Eternal life consists in knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Identifies Jesus as 'the Word' who is both with God and is God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus declares 'I and my Father are one,' mirroring the unity of the witnesses in heaven.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Father, Son, and Spirit bear witness together at the baptism of Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
He who receives Christ's testimony sets his seal to the fact that God is true.
Supported by John Calvin
These things are written so that you may believe and have life in His name.
Supported by JFB
Abiding in Christ ensures that our petitions align with His will and are granted.
Supported by Matthew Poole