Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who (A)believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came (B)by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not [a]with the water only, but [b]with the water and [c]with the blood. It is (C)the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are (D)three that testify: [d]the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are [e]in agreement. (E)If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that (F)He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God (G)has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has (H)made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us (I)eternal life, and (J)this life is in His Son. 12 (K)The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

This Is Written That You May Know

13 (L)These things I have written to you who (M)believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have (N)eternal life.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 5:6 Lit in
  2. 1 John 5:6 Lit in
  3. 1 John 5:6 Lit in
  4. 1 John 5:8 A few late mss add ...in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth, the Spirit
  5. 1 John 5:8 Lit for the one thing

Who is it who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?(A)

Testimony concerning the Son of God

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.(B) There are three that testify:[a](C) the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son.(D) 10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God[b] have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son.(E) 11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.(F)

Epilogue

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.[c](G)

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Footnotes

  1. 5.7 Other ancient authorities read (with variations) There are three that testify in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth:
  2. 5.10 Other ancient authorities read in the Son
  3. 5.13 Other ancient authorities add and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth, that Christ is the truth.

And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.

And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three are one.

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in himself. He that believeth not the Son, maketh him a liar: because he believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son.

11 And this is the testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son, hath life. He that hath not the Son, hath not life.

13 These things I write to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

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The Power That Brings the World to Its Knees

4-5 Every God-born person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

6-8 Jesus—the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb, but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God’s presence at Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us. A triple testimony: the Spirit, the Baptism, the Crucifixion. And the three in perfect agreement.

9-10 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God’s testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God’s own testimony regarding his Son.

11-12 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.

The Reality, Not the Illusion

13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

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