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Verse
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1 John 5:20
ESV And we know 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, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
NIV 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.
NASB And we know 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, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
CSB And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
NLT And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
KJV And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
NKJV 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.

What does 1 John 5:20 mean?

Jesus has provided two important things for the believer. First, Jesus has come (1 John 4:2). John has noted the importance of accepting Jesus as coming in the flesh. Christ's life and death as a real, flesh-and-blood man is a crucial aspect of the gospel. By experiencing suffering as a human being, Jesus could identify with our struggles (Hebrews 4:15). He could also fulfill the role of the Promised One (John 1:29–30).

Second, Jesus gives believers understanding. Jesus did this for two reasons. First, so we can be saved. Second, to give us fellowship with God. The phrase "his Son Jesus Christ" is used only here and in 1 John 1:3, making it a fitting bookend to his letter. First John 1:3 notes, "our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ."

John's reference to truth is especially important. Part of John's letter has dealt with the problem of false teachers (1 John 2:26). Paul's letters referred to those who preached a different gospel (Galatians 1:8). Faith in Christ gives believers spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14), making it easier to distinguish between true and false teachers (1 John 4:6).
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