1 John 5:11
Verse
Context
God’s Testimony about His Son
10Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.11And this is that 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.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is the record - The great truth to which the Spirit, the water, and the blood bear testimony. God hath given us eternal life - a right to endless glory, and a meetness for it. And this life is in his Son; it comes by and through him; he is its author and its purchaser; it is only in and through Him. No other scheme of salvation can be effectual; God has provided none other, and in such a case a man's invention must be vain.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
hath given--Greek, aorist: "gave" once for all. Not only "promised" it. life is in his Son--essentially (Joh 1:4; Joh 11:25; Joh 14:6); bodily (Col 2:9); operatively (Ti2 1:10) [LANGE in ALFORD]. It is in the second Adam, the Son of God, that this life is secured to us, which, if left to depend on us, we should lose, like the first Adam.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And this is the record,.... The sum and substance of it, with respect to the person of Christ, and the security of salvation in him, who is the true God, and eternal life: that God hath given to us eternal life; which is a life of glory and happiness hereafter; in the present state is unseen, but will in the world to come be a life of vision, free from all the sorrows and imperfections of this; and will be of the utmost perfection and pleasure, and for ever. This is a pure free grace gift of God the Father, proceeding from his sovereigns good will and pleasure, and which he gives to all his chosen ones, for they are ordained unto eternal life; to as many as he has given to his Son; to all that are redeemed by his blood, and are brought to believe in him: to these he gave it in his Son before the world began; and to the same in time he gives the right unto it, the meetness for it, and the pledge and earnest of it; and will hereafter give them the thing itself, the whole of it, to be possessed and enjoyed by them in person, to all eternity. And this life is in his Son: not only the purpose and promise of it, but that itself; Christ asked it of his Father in the covenant of peace, and he gave it to him, that he might have it in himself for all his people; and here it is safe and secure, it is hid with Christ in God, it is bound up in the bundle of life with him; and because he lives, this life will never be lost, or they come short of it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:11-12 Whoever has the Son has life: Those who have the Son of God living in them have God’s eternal life now—they enjoy the presence of God’s Spirit (2:20, 25, 27), and they have the guarantee of eternity with God (see Eph 1:13-14).
1 John 5:11
God’s Testimony about His Son
10Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.11And this is that 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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Faith Unto Enlargement Through Adversity - Part 4
By T. Austin-Sparks2.7K57:04AdversityGEN 2:9MRK 2:22JHN 10:10ROM 4:16ROM 6:41JN 5:11REV 22:2In this sermon, the preacher discusses the issue of inequality and excess in society. He highlights how the surplus of resources is often withheld from the poor in order to maintain a market. The preacher also criticizes the culture of gratification and materialism, using Hollywood as an example. He then turns to the letter to the Romans, specifically chapter 4, and emphasizes the importance of faith and the power of God to give life to the dead. The preacher concludes by emphasizing the need for true spiritual life and establishment, rather than relying on external factors or knowledge alone.
Possessing Christ
By Joshua Daniel1.0K26:001JN 5:11The sermon emphasizes the importance of having Christ in our lives, not just as a concept but as a personal possession. It challenges believers to truly let Christ reign within them, impacting every aspect of their lives. The message highlights the need for a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, acknowledging that without Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. It calls for a genuine surrender to Christ, resisting the temptations of the world and prioritizing a life centered on Him.
Eternal Life-What Is It ?
By Welcome Detweiler99712:12MAT 19:17LUK 6:31JHN 10:27JHN 10:30ACT 2:381JN 5:11In this sermon, Dr. Ironside discusses the concept of eternal life and its significance. He emphasizes that eternal life is not physical life or religious life, but something far greater. He explains that eternal life is a free gift given by Jesus Christ, obtained by accepting him as a substitute. Dr. Ironside also addresses the misconception that eternal life can be lost, citing the words of Jesus in John 10:28 to support the belief that those who have received eternal life will never perish.
Amos 4:12
By Chuck Smith0Preparation for JudgmentRepentanceJOB 23:10PSA 139:2ISA 45:22AMO 4:12MAT 24:36JHN 3:16ROM 14:11PHP 2:10HEB 9:271JN 5:11Chuck Smith emphasizes the urgency of preparing to meet God, highlighting how God has sent various warnings and judgments to prompt repentance. He explains that calamities serve as instruments for God to reveal true character, urging individuals to turn to Him before facing destruction. The sermon stresses the majesty and authority of God, who created the universe and knows our innermost thoughts, and challenges listeners to consider their excuses for not bowing to Him. Ultimately, Smith calls for acceptance of God's provision through Jesus Christ as the true means of preparation for meeting God.
Proverbs 13:7
By Chuck Smith0True RichesEternal InvestmentsPSA 62:10PRO 13:7MAT 6:19MRK 10:241TI 6:71TI 6:91JN 5:11Chuck Smith explores the misconceptions surrounding wealth in his sermon 'The Poor Rich Man,' emphasizing that riches do not guarantee happiness or contentment. He highlights the challenges faced by the wealthy, including the difficulty of entering the Kingdom of Heaven and the temptation to set one's heart on material possessions. True riches, according to Smith, are found in God's mercy, love, grace, and glory, which are eternal and freely given through Jesus Christ. He encourages believers to invest in the eternal kingdom rather than accumulating earthly treasures, reminding them that the most valuable things in life are gifts from God.
1 John 5:11
By John Gill0Assurance of SalvationEternal LifeJHN 3:16ROM 6:23EPH 2:81JN 5:11John Gill emphasizes the profound truth found in 1 John 5:11, which declares that God has granted us eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. This eternal life is a gift of grace, secured by Christ's sacrifice and intended for all who believe in Him. Gill explains that while this life may be unseen in our current state, it promises a future filled with glory and perfection, free from sorrow. He reassures believers that their eternal life is safe in Christ, who intercedes for them and ensures they will never lose this precious gift. Ultimately, this sermon highlights the assurance and security of salvation through faith in Jesus.
Eternal Life Is Christ
By Major Ian Thomas0Relationship With ChristEternal Life1JN 5:11Major Ian Thomas emphasizes that eternal life is not merely a future destination or a feeling, but is intrinsically linked to Jesus Christ Himself. He clarifies that eternal life begins the moment one accepts Christ, as it is the life of Christ that believers possess now, not just after physical death. Thomas points out that many misconceptions exist about eternal life, and he stresses that having the Son means having life in the present. He reinforces that eternal life is synonymous with knowing Jesus, who is the source of this life.
The House of God: The Greatness of Christ and His Church
By T. Austin-Sparks0The Greatness of ChristThe Nature of the ChurchEZK 43:7MAT 16:18ACT 2:4ROM 11:331CO 3:16EPH 3:9COL 1:18HEB 3:61PE 2:51JN 5:11T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the House of God as depicted in Ezekiel, warning against reducing spiritual truths to mere technical systems that can stifle the life within the Church. He highlights that the House is not a system but a spiritual entity centered on Christ, where God's glory, government, and life flow freely. Sparks urges believers to recognize the vastness of Christ and His Church, cautioning against the tendency to confine them to human understanding. He stresses the importance of maintaining a spiritual perspective to ensure the Church remains vibrant and effective under God's governance. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper appreciation of the life that emanates from the true House of God.
The Witness of the Spirit - Part 2
By John Wesley0Witness Of The SpiritAssurance of SalvationPSA 51:12JHN 14:26JHN 16:13ROM 8:161CO 2:122CO 1:22GAL 4:6EPH 1:131TH 5:191JN 5:11John Wesley emphasizes the critical role of the Holy Spirit in affirming our identity as children of God, as stated in Romans 8:16. He warns against the dangers of both formalism and enthusiasm, advocating for a balanced understanding of the Spirit's witness. Wesley explains that the Spirit testifies directly to our spirits, assuring us of our reconciliation with God and the forgiveness of our sins. He argues that this direct testimony is essential for true assurance of salvation, which is often misunderstood or neglected. Ultimately, Wesley encourages believers to seek this witness of the Spirit, which brings peace and joy, and to recognize that it is foundational to their faith.
Unconditional Pardon
By John Bunyan0Unconditional PardonGod's Mercy1JN 5:11John Bunyan preaches about the concept of unconditional pardon from God, illustrating it through the story of a man who received a royal pardon despite his treason. He emphasizes that just as the man should honor his king by believing in the pardon, believers should trust in God's mercy and the sacrifice of Christ, rather than being troubled by their past sins. Bunyan reassures that despite the accusations from the devil, the law, and one's own conscience, the promise of eternal life through Jesus remains steadfast. He encourages the congregation to embrace this divine pardon and not be swayed by reminders of their former lives.
Early Testimony
By Norman Grubb0JHN 14:6JHN 15:5ACT 17:281CO 1:24GAL 2:20EPH 1:23COL 2:10COL 3:111JN 4:81JN 5:11Norman Grubb shares his journey of feeling inadequate in his missionary work in Africa, realizing his need for love, faith, and power. He initially sought self-improvement but learned that it was both a sin and impossibility. Through studying the Bible, he discovered that God is love, Christ is the power of God, and Jesus Christ is eternal life. Grubb's ultimate realization was that believers in Christ find their completeness in Him, as 'Christ is all and in all.'
The Fullness of the Mediator.
By John Gill0Christ as MediatorThe Fullness of ChristJER 2:13JHN 1:14JHN 14:62CO 1:20EPH 1:23COL 1:19COL 2:91TI 2:5HEB 13:81JN 5:11John Gill preaches on the fullness of Christ as the Mediator, emphasizing that all fullness dwells in Him as the embodiment of divine attributes and grace. He explains that this fullness includes the personal fullness of deity, the relative fullness of the church, and the fullness of grace and glory that Christ distributes to believers. Gill highlights that this fullness is a result of the Father's good pleasure, ensuring that Christ is the source of all spiritual blessings and the means through which believers receive grace. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to seek their needs in Christ, who is the head of all things and the mediator of the new covenant.
A Great High-Priest - Blessing the People
By J.C. Philpot0NUM 6:23PSA 84:11PSA 133:2JHN 14:19ROM 11:292CO 12:9EPH 1:3HEB 7:251PE 1:81JN 5:11J.C. Philpot preaches on the ministration of the blessed Lord as the great High Priest, focusing on His role in blessing the people. Drawing parallels between the typical high priest under the law and Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, the sermon emphasizes how Jesus blesses His waiting people from the courts of bliss in His glorified humanity. Through His blessings, including eternal life, reconciliation, justification, and spiritual affections, Jesus communicates His grace and glory to His church, making His presence at the right hand of the Father a fountain of spiritual life in the heart.
A Man After God's Heart
By T. Austin-Sparks01SA 13:141SA 15:221SA 16:7PSA 89:19JHN 1:4JHN 5:39JHN 7:39ACT 13:22HEB 1:91JN 5:11T. Austin-Sparks delves into the Bible's portrayal of men as the primary method through which God reveals Himself, emphasizing how each man represents distinctive features of God's thoughts and traits. These features, seen in men like Abraham's faith and Moses' meekness, collectively point to Christ as the ultimate expression of God's character. The sermon explores the concept of God seeking a man after His own heart, reflecting on the moral and spiritual likeness God desires in individuals, devoted to fulfilling His will. David's life is contrasted with Saul's, highlighting the importance of surrendering personal judgments and feelings to obey God's will completely, without reservations or compromises with the natural mind.
Life Only Comes From Life
By T. Austin-Sparks0JHN 1:4JHN 2:1JHN 3:6JHN 11:431JN 5:11T. Austin-Sparks concludes the series on Life by emphasizing the fundamental truth that life only comes from life, a fact of immense significance that demands recognition. Drawing parallels from the natural world's scientific discoveries, he highlights the established principle that life cannot spontaneously generate but only proceeds from already living organisms. This principle is in alignment with Scripture, where Jesus demonstrated through miracles that life comes from the Living One, emphasizing the importance of being born of the Spirit to receive eternal life.
Eternal Life Is Christ
By Major W. Ian Thomas0JHN 1:4JHN 14:6GAL 2:20COL 3:41JN 5:11Major W. Ian Thomas emphasizes that eternal life is not merely a place we go to when we die or a feeling inside us, but it is synonymous with Jesus Christ Himself. He explains that having eternal life means having Jesus Christ now, as He is the source of life. Thomas highlights that eternal life is not a future destination but a present reality for believers, a quality of life possessed in the physical body in the world today.
The Sovereignty of Divine Grace
By Thomas Reade0DEU 29:29ACT 20:27ROM 3:23ROM 8:29EPH 1:4EPH 2:8COL 3:12TIT 1:21PE 1:21JN 5:11Thomas Reade preaches on the sovereignty of divine grace, emphasizing the importance of humility, faith, and prayer in understanding the gospel. He delves into the doctrine of Election, highlighting the controversies and the need for a humble heart to receive God's revelations. Reade stresses the necessity of acknowledging God's sovereignty in bestowing His gifts and the inability of man to save himself. He concludes by emphasizing the practical application of the Gospel truths in our lives, urging believers to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit and live in accordance with God's will.
It Doesn't Really Matter
By Ray Comfort0JHN 6:53ROM 13:142CO 5:17PHP 4:71JN 5:11Ray Comfort preaches about the unshakable belief in the Bible as the Word of God, emphasizing personal experiences of transformation and salvation that confirm its truth. He highlights the essence of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of access to the New Testament or biblical knowledge, stressing the importance of a personal relationship with the Savior. Comfort uses the analogy of wearing a parachute on a plane to illustrate the significance of trusting in Jesus for salvation, even when faced with doubts or misunderstandings in scripture.
Visible Evidence From Outer Space
By Ernest O'Neill0LUK 24:39JHN 3:16JHN 20:29JHN 21:25ACT 1:3ROM 10:171CO 15:3HEB 11:12PE 1:161JN 5:11Ernest O'Neill explores the existence of a superhuman life beyond our earthly realm, pointing to the empirical evidence found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as a unique Son of the Creator of the universe. He emphasizes the reliability of historical accounts from eyewitnesses like Peter and John, as well as non-biblical sources such as Tacitus and Josephus, confirming the reality of Jesus' life and impact. O'Neill challenges listeners to consider the overwhelming evidence that Jesus lived on earth and was connected to a superhuman life, inviting further exploration into this profound truth.
Eat My Flesh
By Chip Brogden0JHN 3:16JHN 6:53JHN 6:63JHN 14:16JHN 16:71CO 6:171JN 5:11Chip Brogden delves into the profound meaning behind Jesus' command to eat His flesh and drink His blood, emphasizing the importance of receiving Christ into our inner being for true spiritual life. He highlights the necessity of having the Life of Christ in our spirits, rather than just seeking blessings or gifts from God. Brogden explains that Eternal Life is not a separate entity but is found in Jesus Christ Himself, and by receiving Him, we receive all that He is and has to offer.
Life
By George MacDonald0JHN 5:24JHN 10:10JHN 14:6JHN 15:5JHN 17:3ROM 6:231CO 15:22GAL 2:201JN 3:11JN 5:11George MacDonald preaches about the abundant life that Jesus came to give us, emphasizing the need for more life in every aspect of our existence. He delves into the concept of life as the ultimate reality, contrasting it with death as a mere shadow and negation. MacDonald explores the deep connection between God's will and our will, highlighting the importance of obedience as the key to oneness with God and partaking in the divine nature. He challenges listeners to seek a life that is one with the essential Life, filled with the endless outpouring of God's love, and to embrace love as the essence of true existence.
Human Destiny
By Robert Anderson0JHN 10:10ROM 6:231CO 9:72CO 11:81JN 5:11H.C.G. Moule preaches about the concept of 'wages' in relation to sin and death, drawing parallels between the provision-money given to Roman soldiers and the consequences of sin leading to spiritual and physical death. The metaphor of wages signifies the conflict against God and the ultimate result of sin. While sin earns death, eternal life is a free gift from God through Christ Jesus, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to God and living a life of willing holiness.
A Warning of Love From the Bowels of Life to Professors
By Isaac Penington0GEN 3:8JHN 12:24JHN 14:6JHN 15:4ROM 3:231CO 15:22GAL 6:8EPH 2:8COL 3:31JN 5:11Isaac Penington preaches a warning to the current generation, urging them to awaken and turn towards the life to be cleansed and saved before the impending storm of wrath. He asserts that man has fallen from God, losing the divine image and eternal wisdom, leading to a state of spiritual death and inability to desire God. Penington emphasizes that all human efforts to return to God are futile without the grace and mercy of a new begetting towards life. He highlights that all professions, knowledge, beliefs, and practices not rooted in the pure life are like fig-leaves, unable to truly heal or restore man to God. Penington concludes by emphasizing the importance of the living seed of eternal life hidden within man, which alone has the power to heal, restore, and bring man into unity with God.
Eternal Life
By Henry T. Anderson0JHN 11:25ROM 6:231CO 15:542CO 5:11JN 5:11Henry T. Anderson preaches about the paradox of living and yet being dead, emphasizing that believers in Christ shall never truly die as Jesus died for their sins, abolishing death and offering eternal life. He delves into the concept of spiritual death as separation from God due to sin, and how Christ's sacrifice frees believers from this death. Anderson highlights the divine nature imparted to believers through Christ, giving them victory over sin and the promise of everlasting life, ultimately leading to the abolishment of death and the transformation of mortal bodies into immortal ones.
Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
By Richard E. Bieber0JHN 6:52JHN 14:18GAL 2:20COL 1:262TI 1:61JN 5:11Richard E. Bieber shares a powerful sermon using a story of an army facing challenges and victories to illustrate the importance of understanding the mystery of Christ dwelling within believers. The soldiers who persevered and reached the palace banquet table did so by fixing their minds on the truth that the king was with them in battle and that they would one day see him face to face. Bieber emphasizes that the mystery of Christ living in us is the hope of glory, sustaining us through trials and empowering us to live a life of mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is the record - The great truth to which the Spirit, the water, and the blood bear testimony. God hath given us eternal life - a right to endless glory, and a meetness for it. And this life is in his Son; it comes by and through him; he is its author and its purchaser; it is only in and through Him. No other scheme of salvation can be effectual; God has provided none other, and in such a case a man's invention must be vain.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
hath given--Greek, aorist: "gave" once for all. Not only "promised" it. life is in his Son--essentially (Joh 1:4; Joh 11:25; Joh 14:6); bodily (Col 2:9); operatively (Ti2 1:10) [LANGE in ALFORD]. It is in the second Adam, the Son of God, that this life is secured to us, which, if left to depend on us, we should lose, like the first Adam.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And this is the record,.... The sum and substance of it, with respect to the person of Christ, and the security of salvation in him, who is the true God, and eternal life: that God hath given to us eternal life; which is a life of glory and happiness hereafter; in the present state is unseen, but will in the world to come be a life of vision, free from all the sorrows and imperfections of this; and will be of the utmost perfection and pleasure, and for ever. This is a pure free grace gift of God the Father, proceeding from his sovereigns good will and pleasure, and which he gives to all his chosen ones, for they are ordained unto eternal life; to as many as he has given to his Son; to all that are redeemed by his blood, and are brought to believe in him: to these he gave it in his Son before the world began; and to the same in time he gives the right unto it, the meetness for it, and the pledge and earnest of it; and will hereafter give them the thing itself, the whole of it, to be possessed and enjoyed by them in person, to all eternity. And this life is in his Son: not only the purpose and promise of it, but that itself; Christ asked it of his Father in the covenant of peace, and he gave it to him, that he might have it in himself for all his people; and here it is safe and secure, it is hid with Christ in God, it is bound up in the bundle of life with him; and because he lives, this life will never be lost, or they come short of it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:11-12 Whoever has the Son has life: Those who have the Son of God living in them have God’s eternal life now—they enjoy the presence of God’s Spirit (2:20, 25, 27), and they have the guarantee of eternity with God (see Eph 1:13-14).