1 John 5, Faith in the Incarnate Son of God
Verses 1-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Commentary
Verses 1-5
John repeats some of the same things in these verses that he said in the beginning verses of Chapter 4 about the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In the above scriptures, he added faith to his explanation. He ends the section with a rhetorical question. Then, he gives the answer.
Verses 6-9
6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
Commentary
Verses 6-9
John gives some descriptions of how Jesus came. He says there are three that testify of His incarnation: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. They are all in agreement. Notice what John says about the human testimony and God's testimony.
Verses 10-12
10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given 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.
Commentary
Verses 10-12
Notice what John concludes about the testimony.
Verses 13-15; Concluding Affirmations
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. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Commentary
Verses 13-15
John identifies himself as the writer of 1 John. Notice what he says is the confidence we have.
Verses 16-17
16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
Commentary
Verses 16-17
Notice John mentions the same relatives he mentioned in Chapter 4. What is the sin that does not lead to death? This has been confusing to many, but the answer is any sin that we are able to confess and repent from. That sin does not lead to death. Remember 1 John 1:9 that says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Verses 18-21
18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Commentary
Verses 18-220
John reminds his readers of things they know. Review those things that "we know."
Verse 21
21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Commentary
Verse 21
This verse is the last one in Chapter 5. It seems out of place. It seems like it is a last-minute thing John wanted his audience to know. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit, one will realize that it is John's final appeal to his "dear children" to stay away from idols. It is a reminder that only Christ was to be served. The false teachings they battled ultimately led back to the very gods they had left to follow Jesus. They were to keep themselves "from idols" and remain focused on Jesus as the Son of God, the incarnate one, the one who came in the flesh.
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