1 John 5

1 John 5:1

That Jesus is the Christ (οτΙησουςεστινοΧριστος). The Cerinthian antichrist denies the identity of Jesus and Christ (2:22). Hence John insists on this form of faith (πιστευων here in the full sense, stronger than in 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:16, seen also in πιστις in verse 4, where English and Latin fall down in having to use another word for the verb) as he does in verse 5 and in accord with the purpose of John’s Gospel (20:31). Nothing less will satisfy John, not merely intellectual conviction, but full surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. “The Divine Begetting is the antecedent, not the consequent of the believing” (Law). For “is begotten of God” (εκτουθεουγεγεννητα) see 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 5:18. John appeals here to family relationship and family love.

Him that begat (τονγεννησαντα). First aorist active articular participle of γενναω, to beget, the Father (our heavenly Father).

Him also that is begotten of him (τονγεγεννημενονεξαυτου). Perfect passive articular participle of γενναω, the brother or sister by the same father. So then we prove our love for the common Father by our conduct towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 John 5:2

Hereby (εντουτω). John’s usual phrase for the test of the sincerity of our love. “The love of God and the love of the brethren do in fact include each the other” (Westcott). Each is a test of the other. So put 3:14 with 5:2.

When (οταν). “Whenever” indefinite temporal clause with οταν and the present active subjunctive (the same form αγαπωμεν as the indicative with οτ (that) just before, “whenever we keep on loving God.”

And do (καποιωμεν) “and whenever we keep on doing (present active subjunctive of ποιεω) his commandments.” See 1:6 for “doing the truth.”

1 John 5:3

This (αυτη)

–that (ινα). Explanatory use of ινα with αυτη, as in John 17:3, to show what “the love of God” (1 John 4:9; 1 John 4:12) in the objective sense is, not mere declamatory boasting (4:20), but obedience to God’s commands, “that we keep on keeping (present active subjunctive as in 2:3) his commandments.” This is the supreme test.

Are not grievous (βαρειαουκεισιν). “Not heavy,” the adjective in Matthew 23:4 with φορτια (burdens), with λυπο (wolves) in Acts 20:29, of Paul’s letters in 2 Corinthians 10:10, of the charges against Paul in Acts 25:7. Love for God lightens his commands.

1 John 5:4

For (οτ). The reason why God’s commandments are not heavy is the power that comes with the new birth from God.

Whatsoever is begotten of God (παντογεγεννημενονεκτουθεου). Neuter singular perfect passive participle of γενναω rather than the masculine singular (verse 1) to express sharply the universality of the principle (Rothe) as in John 3:6; John 3:8; John 6:37; John 6:39.

Overcometh the world (νικατονκοσμον). Present active indicative of νικαω, a continuous victory because a continuous struggle, “keeps on conquering the world” (“the sum of all the forces antagonistic to the spiritual life,” D. Smith).

This is the victory (αυτηεστινηνικη). For this form of expression see 1 John 1:5; John 1:19. Νικη (victory, cf. νικαω), old word, here alone in N.T., but the later form νικος in Matthew 12:20; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 1 Corinthians 15:57.

That overcometh (ηνικησασα). First aorist active articular participle of νικαω. The English cannot reproduce the play on the word here. The aorist tense singles out an individual experience when one believed or when one met temptation with victory. Jesus won the victory over the world (John 16:33) and God in us (1 John 4:4) gives us the victory.

Even our faith (ηπιστιςημων). The only instance of πιστις in the Johannine Epistles (not in John’s Gospel, though in the Apocalypse). It is our faith in Jesus Christ as shown by our confession (verse 1) and by our life (verse 2).

1 John 5:5

And who is he that overcometh? (τιςεστινδεονικων?). Not a mere rhetorical question (2:22), but an appeal to experience and fact. Note the present active articular participle (νικων) like νικα (present active indicative in verse 4), “the one who keeps on conquering the world.” See 1 Corinthians 15:57 for the same note of victory (νικος) through Christ. See verse 1 for οπιστευων (the one who believes) as here.

Jesus is the Son of God (Ιησουςεστινουιοςτουθεου). As in verse 1 save that here ουιοςτουθεου in place of Χριστος and see both in 2:22f. Here there is sharp antithesis between “Jesus” (humanity) and “the Son of God” (deity) united in the one personality.

1 John 5:6

This (ουτος). Jesus the Son of God (verse 5).

He that came (οελθων). Second aorist active articular participle of ερχομα, referring to the Incarnation as a definite historic event, the preexistent Son of God “sent from heaven to do God’s will” (Brooke).

By water and blood (δι’ υδατοςκααιματος). Accompanied by (δια used with the genitive both as instrument and accompaniment, as in Galatians 5:13) water (as at the baptism) and blood (as on the Cross). These two incidents in the Incarnation are singled out because at the baptism Jesus was formally set apart to his Messianic work by the coming of the Holy Spirit upon him and by the Father’s audible witness, and because at the Cross his work reached its culmination (“It is finished,” Jesus said). There are other theories that do not accord with the language and the facts. It is true that at the Cross both water and blood came out of the side of Jesus when pierced by the soldier, as John bore witness (John 19:34), a complete refutation of the Docetic denial of an actual human body for Jesus and of the Cerinthian distinction between Jesus and Christ. There is thus a threefold witness to the fact of the Incarnation, but he repeats the twofold witness before giving the third. The repetition of both preposition (εν this time rather than δια) and the article (τω locative case) argues for two separate events with particular emphasis on the blood (“not only” ουκμονον, “but” αλλ’) which the Gnostics made light of or even denied.

It is the Spirit that beareth witness (τοπνευμαεστιντομαρτυρουν). Present active articular participle of μαρτυρεω with article with both subject and predicate, and so interchangeable as in 3:4. The Holy Spirit is the third and the chief witness at the baptism of Jesus and all through his ministry.

Because (οτ). Or declarative “that.” Either makes sense. In John 15:26 Jesus spoke of “the Spirit of truth” (whose characteristic is truth). Here John identifies the Spirit with truth as Jesus said of himself (John 14:6) without denying personality for the Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:7

For there are three who bear witness (οττρειςεισινομαρτυρουντες). At this point the Latin Vulgate gives the words in the Textus Receptus, found in no Greek MS. save two late cursives (162 in the Vatican Library of the fifteenth century, 34 of the sixteenth century in Trinity College, Dublin). Jerome did not have it. Cyprian applies the language of the Trinity and Priscillian has it. Erasmus did not have it in his first edition, but rashly offered to insert it if a single Greek MS. had it and 34 was produced with the insertion, as if made to order. The spurious addition is: εντωουρανωοπατηρ, ολογοςκατοαγιονπνευμακαουτοοτρειςενεισινκατρειςεισινομαρτυρουντεςεντηγη (in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

And there are three that bear witness in earth). The last clause belongs to verse 8. The fact and the doctrine of the Trinity do not depend on this spurious addition. Some Latin scribe caught up Cyprian’s exegesis and wrote it on the margin of his text, and so it got into the Vulgate and finally into the Textus Receptus by the stupidity of Erasmus.

1 John 5:8

The Spirit and the water and the blood (τοπνευμακατουδωρκατοαιμα). The same three witnesses of verses 1 John 5:6; 1 John 5:7 repeated with the Spirit first.

The three (οτρεις). The resumptive article.

Agree in one (ειςτοενεισιν). “Are for the one thing,” to bring us to faith in Jesus as the Incarnate Son of God, the very purpose for which John wrote his Gospel (20:31).

1 John 5:9

If we receive (ελαμβανομεν). Condition of first class with ε and the present active indicative, assumed as true. The conditions for a legally valid witness are laid down in Deuteronomy 19:15 (cf. Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; John 10:25; 2 Corinthians 13:1).

Greater (μειζων). Comparative of μεγας, because God is always true.

For (οτ). So it applies to this case.

That (οτ). Thus taken in the declarative sense (the fact that) as in John 3:19, though it can be causal (because) or indefinite relative with μεμαρτυρηκεν (what he hath testified, perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω, as in John 1:32; John 4:44, etc.), a harsh construction here because of μαρτυρια, though some MSS. do read εν to agree with it (cf. verse 10). See οτεαν in 3:20 for that idiom. Westcott notes the Trinity in verses 6-9: the Son comes, the Spirit witnesses, the Father has witnessed.

1 John 5:10

Believeth on (πιστευωνεις). John draws a distinction between “not believing God” (μηπιστευωντωθεω) in next clause, the testimony of God about his Son, and surrender to and reliance on the Son as here (εις and the accusative). See the same distinction less clearly drawn in John 6:30f. See also ειςτηνμαρτυριαν after πεπιστευκεν in this same verse and John 2:23.

In him (εναυτω). “In himself,” though the evidence is not decisive between αυτω and αυτω.

Hath made (πεποιηκεν). Perfect active indicative of ποιεω like μεμαρτυρηκεν and πεπιστευκεν, permanent state.

A liar (ψευστην). As in 1:10, which see.

Because he hath not believed (οτουπεπιστευκεν). Actual negative reason with negative ου, not the subjective reason as in John 3:18, where we have οτμηπεπιστευκεν). The subjective negative is regular with ομηπιστευων. Relative clause here repeats close of verse 9.

1 John 5:11

That God gave (οτεδωκενοθεος). Declarative οτ in apposition with μαρτυρια as in verse 1 John 5:14; John 3:19. Note aorist active indicative εδωκεν (from διδωμ) as in 3:23f., the great historic fact of the Incarnation (John 3:16), but the perfect δεδωκεν in 1 John 3:1 to emphasize the abiding presence of God’s love.

Eternal life (ζωηναιωνιον). Anarthrous emphasizing quality, but with the article in 1:2.

In his Son (εντωυιωαυτου). This life and the witness also. This is why Jesus who is life (John 14:6) came to give us abundant life (John 10:10).

1 John 5:12

Hath the life (εχετηνζωην). The life which God gave (verse 11). This is the position of Jesus himself (John 5:24; John 14:6).

1 John 5:13

I have written (εγραψα). Not epistolary aorist, but refers to verses 1-12 of this Epistle as in 2:26 to the preceding verses.

That ye may know (ιναειδητε). Purpose clause with ινα and the second perfect active subjunctive of οιδα, to know with settled intuitive knowledge. He wishes them to have eternal life in Christ (John 20:31) and to know that they have it, but not with flippant superficiality (2:3ff.).

Unto you that believe on (τοιςπιστευουσινεις). Dative of the articular present active participle of πιστευω and εις as in verse 10. For this use of ονομα (name) with πιστευω see 1 John 3:23; John 2:23.

1 John 5:14

Toward him (προςαυτον). Fellowship with (προς, face to face) Christ. For boldness see 2:28.

That (οτ). Declarative again, as in verse 11.

If we ask anything (εανταιτωμεθα). Condition of third class with εαν and present middle (indirect) subjunctive (personal interest as in James 4:3, though the point is not to be pressed too far, for see Matthew 20:20; Matthew 20:22; John 16:24; John 16:26).

According to his will (κατατοθελημααυτου). This is the secret in all prayer, even in the case of Jesus himself. For the phrase see 1 Peter 4:19; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:5; Ephesians 1:11.

He heareth us (ακουεημων). Even when God does not give us what we ask, in particular then (Hebrews 5:7f.).

1 John 5:15

And if we know (καεανοιδαμεν). Condition of first class with εαν (usually ε) and the perfect active indicative, assumed as true. See 1 Thessalonians 3:8; Acts 8:31 for the indicative with εαν as in the papyri. “An amplification of the second limitation” (D. Smith).

Whatsoever we ask (οεαναιτωμεθα). Indefinite relative clause with modal εαν (=αν) and the present middle (as for ourselves) subjunctive of αιτεω. This clause, like ημων, is also the object of ακουε.

We know that we have (οιδαμενοτεχομεν). Repetition of οιδαμεν, the confidence of possession by anticipation.

The petitions (τααιτηματα). Old word, from αιτεω, requests, here only in John, elsewhere in N.T. Luke 23:24; Philippians 4:6. We have the answer already as in Mr 11:24.

We have asked (ηιτηκαμεν). Perfect active indicative of αιτεω, the asking abiding.

1 John 5:16

If any man see (εαντιςιδη). Third-class condition with εαν and second aorist active subjunctive of ειδον (οραω).

Sinning a sin (αμαρτανοντααμαρτιαν). Present active predicate (supplementary) participle agreeing with αδελφον and with cognate accusative αμαρτιαν.

Not unto death (μηπροςθανατον). Repeated again with αμαρτανουσιν and in contrast with αμαρτιαπροςθανατον (sin unto death). Most sins are not mortal sins, but clearly John conceives of a sin that is deadly enough to be called “unto death.” This distinction is common in the rabbinic writings and in Numbers 18:22 the LXX has λαβειναμαρτιανθανατηφορον “to incur a death-bearing sin” as many crimes then and now bear the death penalty. There is a distinction in Hebrews 10:26 between sinning wilfully after full knowledge and sins of ignorance (Hebrews 5:2). Jesus spoke of the unpardonable sin (Mark 3:29; Matthew 12:32; Luke 12:10), which was attributing to the devil the manifest work of the Holy Spirit. It is possible that John has this idea in mind when he applies it to those who reject Jesus Christ as God’s Son and set themselves up as antichrists.

Concerning this (περεκεινης). This sin unto death.

That he should make request (ιναερωτηση). Sub-final use of ινα with the first aorist active subjunctive of ερωταω, used here as in John 17:15; John 17:20 (and often) for request rather than for question. John does not forbid praying for such cases; he simply does not command prayer for them. He leaves them to God.

1 John 5:17

All unrighteousness is sin (πασααδικιααμαρτιαεστιν). Unrighteousness is one manifestation of sin as lawlessness (3:4) is another (Brooke). The world today takes sin too lightly, even jokingly as a mere animal inheritance. Sin is a terrible reality, but there is no cause for despair. Sin not unto death can be overcome in Christ.

1 John 5:18

We know (οιδαμεν). As in 1 John 3:2; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 5:15; 1 John 5:19; 1 John 5:20. He has “ye know” in 1 John 2:20; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 3:15.

Sinneth not (ουχαμαρτανε). Lineal present active indicative, “does not keep on sinning,” as he has already shown in 3:4-10.

He that was begotten of God (ογεννηθειςεκτουθεου). First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct (τηρεαυτον, not τηρεεαυτον). It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God (γεγεννημενοςεκτουθεου as in 3:9 and so different from ογεννηθεις here). It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus (John 18:37) uses γεγεννημα of himself and uses also τηρεω of keeping the disciples (John 17:12; John 17:15; Revelation 3:10).

The evil one (οπονηρος). Masculine and personal as in 2:13, not neuter, and probably Satan as in Matthew 6:13, not just any evil man.

Touchest him not (ουχαπτετααυτου). Present middle indicative of απτω, elsewhere in John only John 20:17. It means to lay hold of or to grasp rather than a mere superficial touch (θιγγανω, both in Colossians 2:21). Here the idea is to touch to harm. The devil cannot snatch such a man from Christ (John 6:38f.).

1 John 5:19

Of God (εκτουθεου). See 1 John 3:10; 1 John 4:6 for this idiom.

Lieth in the evil one (εντωπονηρωκειτα). Present middle indicative of the defective verb κειμα, to lie, as in Lu 2:12. Πονηρω is masculine, like οπονηρος in verse 18. This is a terrible picture of the Graeco-Roman world of the first century A.D., which is confirmed by Paul in Romans 1 and 2 and by Horace, Seneca, Juvenal, Tacitus.

1 John 5:20

Is come (ηκε). Present active indicative, but the root has a perfect sense, “has come.” See εξηλθονκαηκω in John 8:42.

An understanding (διανοιαν). Here alone in John’s writings, but in Paul (Ephesians 4:18) and Peter (1 Peter 1:13). John does not use γνωσις (knowledge) and νους (mind) only in Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:9.

That we know (ιναγινωσκομεν). Result clause with ινα and the present active indicative, as is common with ινα and the future indicative (John 7:3). It is possible that here ο was pronounced ω as a subjunctive, but many old MSS. have ιναγινωσκουσιν (plainly indicative) in John 17:3, and in many other places in the N.T. the present indicative with ινα occurs as a variant reading as in John 5:20.

Him that is true (τοναληθινον). That is, God. Cf. 1:8.

In him that is true (εντωαληθινω). In God in contrast with the world “in the evil one” (verse 19). See John 17:3.

Even in his Son Jesus Christ (εντωυιωαυτουΙησουΧριστω). The αυτου refers clearly to εντωαληθινω (God). Hence this clause is not in apposition with the preceding, but an explanation as to how we are “in the True One” by being “in his Son Jesus Christ.”

This (ουτος). Grammatically ουτος may refer to Jesus Christ or to “the True One.” It is a bit tautological to refer it to God, but that is probably correct, God in Christ, at any rate. God is eternal life (John 5:26) and he gives it to us through Christ.

1 John 5:21

Yourselves (εαυτα). Neuter plural reflexive because of τεκνια. The active voice φυλασσετε with the reflexive accents the need of effort on their part. Idolatry was everywhere and the peril was great. See Acts 7:41: 1 Thessalonians 1:9 for this word.