Faith, love, and obedience
1 John 5:1–5FocusOvercoming the world
Connection to the wholeThe opening connects belief concerning Jesus with love for God's children and keeping His commandments.
interpretation 1 John 5:9
KJVIf 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.
Read it in context
God's witness concerning His Son
Start reading at 1 John 5:6 (1 John 5:6 to 1 John 5:12).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The letter directs confidence toward God's testimony and states that the life He gives is in His Son.
- 5:6 This 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.
- 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
- 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
- 5:9 If 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.
- 5:10 He 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.
- 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author, associated with the eyewitness testimony and teaching also found in the Gospel of John. Biblical references: 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:3. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Epistles of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 John 3:1–5:21): The same community receives instruction about love, righteous conduct, testing spirits, faith in Jesus Christ, and prayer. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Believers in the name of the Son of God, addressed as children and beloved, facing false teaching and a separation within their community. No city is named. Biblical references: 1 John 2:19; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 5:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? God's witness concerning His Son. Read 1 John 5:6 through 1 John 5:12 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The letter directs confidence toward God's testimony and states that the life He gives is in His Son. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The writing addresses current claims, departures, and conduct among its readers without supplying a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? No city of destination or composition is explicitly named. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in God's witness concerning His Son (1 John 5:6 to 1 John 5:12). Start reading at 1 John 5:6. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The writing centers on Jesus Christ come in the flesh, His cleansing and advocacy, and abiding in Him. Love and obedience are presented as tests of claimed fellowship. See 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Test claims of fellowship by truth, love, and obedience. Assurance should be read with the letter's calls to abide and its warnings about deception. interpretation
Cited: 1 John 5:6, 1 John 5:12, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe letter does not name its author, but claims eyewitness testimony of the Word of life.
1 John 1:1
Early traditionEarly testimony names John the apostle, and the style closely matches the Gospel of John.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- we 1 John 5:10 John 3:32-33 John 5:31-36,39 John 8:17-19 John 10:38 Acts 5:32 Acts 17:31 Heb 2:4
- for Matt 3:16-17 Matt 17:5
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 John 5
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
1 John 1:3 1 John 2:1 1 John 2:12 1 John 5:13
FocusThe testimony and eternal life
Connection to the wholeThe letter directs confidence toward God's testimony and states that the life He gives is in His Son.
interpretation Assurance, prayer, and keeping
1 John 5:13–21FocusKnowing Him and guarding from idols
Connection to the wholeThe purpose statement is followed by teaching on prayer and sin, ending in confidence concerning the true God and the command to keep from idols.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 John
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
1 John 1:3 1 John 2:1 1 John 2:12 1 John 5:13
The witnessed life and fellowship
1 John 1:1–2:2FocusLight, confession, and the advocate
Connection to the wholeThe opening testimony leads to tests of walking in the light and to the provision for sin through Jesus Christ.
interpretation Knowing and abiding
1 John 2:3–29FocusObedience, love, and resisted deception
Connection to the wholeThe letter tests claims to know God, warns against the world and antichrists, and urges the readers to abide in what they heard.
interpretation Children of God and discernment
1 John 3:1–4:6FocusRighteousness, love, and tested spirits
Connection to the wholeThe community's identity is connected to conduct and love, while competing spiritual claims are tested by their confession concerning Jesus Christ.
interpretation FocusGod's love and life in His Son
Connection to the wholeThe argument connects God's initiating love with mutual love, obedient faith, and the testimony God has given concerning His Son.
interpretation Assurance and final instruction
1 John 5:13–21FocusPrayer, guarding, and the true God
Connection to the wholeThe closing purpose statement joins assurance with prayer and watchfulness, ending with the warning to keep from idols.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.