What does 1 John chapter 5 mean? (2024)

Chapter

English Standard Version

6This is he who came by water and blood — Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

New International Version

6This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

New American Standard Bible

5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Christian Standard Bible

5Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6Jesus Christ—he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit, the water, and the blood —and these three are in agreement. 9If we accept human testimony, God’s testimony is greater, because it is God’s testimony that he has given about his Son. 10The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. The one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

New Living Translation

King James Version

6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

New King James Version

Follow Us:What does 1 John chapter 5 mean? (1)What does 1 John chapter 5 mean? (2) What does 1 John chapter 5 mean? (3)

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

Chapter 5 emphasizes the believer's ability to "overcome" the world (1 John 5:1–5) through the power of Christ. John gives testimony regarding Jesus as the Son of God (1 John 5:6–12). This passage also reassures believers, telling them they can know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13–21).

First John chapter 5 begins with an important idea. Everyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ is "born of God." Those who truly love God also love their spiritual brothers and sisters. We show this love for others through obeying God's commands (1 John 5:2). Verse 4 adds that those born of God are "overcomers." John highlights the power of believers to conquer the sins and temptations of this world, through a relationship with God.

The second section, in verses 6 through 12, focuses on Jesus as God's Son. He came by water and blood, likely a reference to His baptism and crucifixion (1 John 5:6). The Spirit also agrees with the testimony of Jesus as God's Son (1 John 5:7–8). Whoever believes has this testimony within them (1 John 5:10). This witness proves that, through Christ, we have everlasting life. Even as early as John wrote this letter, Christians were facing discouragement from false teachers over their salvation.

The third section, in verses 13 through 21, focuses on the teaching that believers can have assurance of their salvation. First John 5:13 clearly states that John's purpose for this letter is "that you may know that you have eternal life." Five additional teachings are then given, followed by a brief command to stay away from idols. First, John speaks of confidence in prayer (1 John 5:14–15). Second, John emphasizes helping those struggling with sin (1 John 5:16–17). Third, John teaches those who know God are protected from the evil one (1 John 5:18). Fourth, John notes that those who don't belong to God are under this world's power (1 John 5:19). Fifth, John notes that Jesus came so we can have eternal life (1 John 5:20). As a result, we are to stay away from idols and worship only the true God, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:21).

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

What does 1 John chapter 5 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What does 1 John chapter 5 mean? ›

Here he tells us how one is born of God: whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ. This means believing that Jesus is his Messiah, not just the Messiah in the generic sense. i. John's great emphasis has been on love, but he never wants anyone to believe he earns salvation by loving others.

What is the meaning of 1st John chapter 5? ›

Chapter 5 emphasizes the believer's ability to "overcome" the world (1 John 5:1–5) through the power of Christ. John gives testimony regarding Jesus as the Son of God (1 John 5:6–12). This passage also reassures believers, telling them they can know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13–21).

What is the main message of John 1 5? ›

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Jesus Christ is God's light sent down to earth to pierce through the darkness. That light is God's life, both physical and eternal.

What are the discussion questions on 1 John 5? ›

Discussion Questions

How did God testify about Christ? What does it mean that the one who believes in Christ has the testimony in himself?

What is the lesson from 1 John 5 1 5? ›

The child of God referred to in 1 John 5:1 is first and foremost Jesus, but the author also means to say any child of God, as verse two makes clear. Jesus is born of God, but everyone who believes in him becomes his brother or sister. Whoever loves the parent loves not just one of the parent's children but all of them.

What does Jesus teach about in John Chapter 5? ›

The three clarifications in John chapter 5 are: Christ's Special Relationship with the Father (5.19-23) Christ's Sovereign Authority over humanity (5.24-30) Christ's Sufficient Testimony of authenticity (5.31-47)

What is the meaning of 1 John 5 verse 4? ›

Here in verse 4, John simply refers to "faith" as our victory. The faith of the believer is the victory that overcomes. Every believer is an overcomer and is victorious because they have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16) and abundant life now (John 10:10).

Is John 1:5 a metaphor? ›

As John introduces the story of Jesus, he uses wonderful language and metaphor, describing Jesus as the Word, containing all life and the light of all mankind, and concluding with verse 5: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

What does comprehend mean in John 1:5? ›

The second phrase of this verse is sometimes translated as "the darkness did not overcome it," or "the darkness did not comprehend it." The original Greek word is katalmbano, which can mean "acquire," "grasp," or "lay hold of." Since light is associated with knowledge, this in part means that Jesus was not (is not) ...

What is John chapter 1 verse 5? ›

ESV The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. NIV The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. NASB And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

What does 1st John chapter 5 verse 6 mean? ›

John calls Jesus "he who came by water and blood." This reference to water and blood has been interpreted in many ways. Some believe water and blood refer to His physical nature, coming as an infant to earth.

What is 1 John telling us? ›

John teaches that through obedience we can come to know God, have fellowship with Him, and become like Him. In the last days, antichrists will arise. The Savior's love for us is manifest through His atoning sacrifice.

What is the lesson of 1 John 5 11? ›

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. Our next series of verses are about assurance or inner peace and security.

What is the main point of 1 John 5? ›

Here he tells us how one is born of God: whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ. This means believing that Jesus is his Messiah, not just the Messiah in the generic sense. i. John's great emphasis has been on love, but he never wants anyone to believe he earns salvation by loving others.

What is the water in 1 John 5? ›

So he came in the flesh and he is "the true God." We therefore acknowledge that the mortal life of his body is blood, but we also see in the Gospel of John that the "eternal life" of Jesus Christ is "water." That is, Jesus described his eternal life as "living water."

What does 1 John 5:3 mean? ›

It's not wrong to say that loving Jesus, or loving God, includes doing what he commands. But that's not all it is. Which is why John says in 1 John 5:3, “And his commandments are not burdensome.” Loving God is not just external obedience; it means having a heart for God that doesn't find his commandments burdensome.

What does it mean that the Spirit proceeds from the father and the son? ›

This would mean that the Son agrees in the sending of the Spirit, that the Spirit is His ambassador. In turn, theologians see in this text an allusion to eternal realities. The Father and the Son send the Spirit because from all eternity, the Spirit has proceeded from the Father and the Son.

What does it mean the Holy Spirit came upon Mary? ›

The Spirit comes upon the Virgin Mary and "overshadows" her, so that she might conceive and give birth to Jesus. ( Lk 1:35) 723 In Mary, the Holy Spirit fulfills the plan of the Father's loving goodness. With and through the Holy Spirit, the Virgin conceives and gives birth to the Son of God.

What are the three things that bear witness on earth? ›

[8] And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

What does it mean with the mouth confession is made unto salvation? ›

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10). Note that Paul said “if” one confesses with the mouth and believes in their heart they shall be saved. The opposite of that is that if they do not do those two things, they will not be saved.

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