Chapter
1 2 3 4 5
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1 John 5:4
ESV For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
NIV for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
NASB For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
CSB because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.
NLT For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
KJV For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

What does 1 John 5:4 mean?

John returns again in this verse to the theme of believers as overcomers. Jesus cannot be overpowered by darkness (John 1:5), and has defeated the powers of this world (John 16:33). Believers are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Believers have overcome both the evil one (1 John 2:13–14) and evil spirits (1 John 4:4). Christians are not left weak and defenseless in spiritual battles. On the contrary, those battles are already won, by Christ.

How do believers overcome the world? Verse 5 gives a more direct explanation: by believing in Jesus as the Son of God. Here in verse 4, John simply refers to "faith" as our victory. The faith of the believer is the victory that overcomes. Every believer is an overcomer and is victorious because they have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16) and abundant life now (John 10:10). God's Spirit lives within the believer to provide power over the battles of this world.
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