1 John 5

1 John 5 emphasizes the themes of faith, love, and eternal life, showing how faith in Jesus as the Son of God brings victory over the world. John also discusses the testimony of the Spirit, the water, and the blood, affirming Jesus' divine nature. The chapter concludes by highlighting the assurance believers have in eternal life and the importance of praying according to God’s will.

1 John 5:1 (NKJV)
“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.”

Those who believe in Jesus as the Christ are spiritually reborn as children of God. This relationship with God is built on faith in Christ. Love for God is naturally extended to others who are His children, meaning believers will also love their fellow believers as part of the same spiritual family.

1 John 5:2-3 (NKJV)
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

Love for God's children is demonstrated by loving God and keeping His commandments. Obedience to God's commands is an expression of our love for Him, and John reminds believers that these commands are not heavy or difficult. The love of God transforms obedience into something that is joyful rather than a burden.

1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Everyone born of God has the power to overcome the world and its sinful influences. This victory comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus is the key to overcoming the world's temptations and challenges, because it connects believers to Christ’s triumph over sin and death. Those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God share in this victory.

1 John 5:6 (NKJV)
“This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

Jesus is confirmed as the Messiah through His baptism (water) and His crucifixion (blood). These events testify to His identity and mission. Additionally, the Holy Spirit continually bears witness to the truth of Jesus’ divinity and saving work. The Spirit confirms and authenticates the message of Jesus in the hearts of believers.

1 John 5:7-8 (NKJV)
“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”

The testimony of Jesus’ divine nature and mission is confirmed both in heaven and on earth. In heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit bear witness to Christ’s authority and divinity. On earth, the Spirit, water, and blood testify, representing the key events of Jesus’ life: His baptism, death, and the continuing work of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:9-10 (NKJV)
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.”

The testimony of God is greater than any human testimony. God Himself bears witness to the identity of His Son, Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus accept this divine testimony internally. Rejecting God’s testimony about His Son is equated with calling God a liar, a grave offense since it denies the truth of the Gospel.

1 John 5:11-12 (NKJV)
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

The heart of God’s testimony is the gift of eternal life, which is available through Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus and accept Him as the Son of God receive eternal life. Without Jesus, there is no access to this life, reinforcing the essential nature of faith in Christ for salvation.

1 John 5:13 (NKJV)
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

John writes this letter to assure believers that they possess eternal life through faith in Jesus. His goal is to strengthen their confidence and encourage them to remain steadfast in their belief. This assurance of salvation is based on God’s promises and the work of Christ.

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Believers can have confidence in their relationship with God, knowing that He hears their prayers when they align with His will. This assurance leads to boldness in prayer, trusting that God will provide what is best in accordance with His divine plan. Faithful prayer is rooted in seeking God’s will, not merely personal desires.

1 John 5:16-17 (NKJV)
“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”

John distinguishes between sins that lead to spiritual death and those that do not. For sins not leading to death, believers are encouraged to intercede for one another, trusting God to grant forgiveness and restoration. However, for sins that lead to death—likely persistent rebellion against God—John indicates that such prayers may not be effective.

1 John 5:18 (NKJV)
“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

Those who are truly born of God are no longer under the dominion of sin. While believers may still stumble, they do not live in habitual sin. Through the new birth, they are protected from the power of the evil one, safeguarded by God’s grace and their own commitment to remain in Him.

1 John 5:19-20 (NKJV)
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

John contrasts the position of believers, who belong to God, with the rest of the world, which is under the influence of the devil. Through Jesus, believers have been given the ability to know God and live in His truth. This relationship with Christ is the source of eternal life, confirming the true nature of God.

1 John 5:21 (NKJV)
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

John ends with a simple but vital command to avoid idolatry. This final exhortation reminds believers to stay faithful to God and not allow any created thing or false teaching to take His rightful place in their hearts. It encapsulates the call to remain focused on the truth of God.