1 John 5:13 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: 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.

NASB: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

CSB: I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

NLT: I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

KJV: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

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.

Verse 13 directly states the overall purpose of John's letter, which is assuring true believers of their salvation. "These things" refers to the contents of the previous passage. Specifically, that belief in Christ guarantees salvation. A Christian does not need to guess whether he or she will have eternal life. Those who know God and love others show evidence God is in their life.

John has been specific regarding how a person can know they have eternal life. This starts with the only means of obtaining salvation, which is faith in the Son of God. There is no list of works a person can do to determine eternal life. Nor are there any sins a believer can commit which will cause them to lose it. Ultimately, eternal life is based—entirely—on whether a person has believed in Jesus Christ. Recognizing salvation, however, is a matter of examining one's life, for the kind of signs John has mentioned previously in this letter.

The eternal life John has spoken of so many times in this letter is of central importance, and it comes from one source: the Son of God. The remaining verses provide five additional teachings followed by a brief command to stay away from idols.

First John 5:13–21 closes out the letter by focusing on assurance of salvation. The goal of John's letter is to provide believers with a means to know, for sure, that they have eternal life. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ can be absolutely sure that they are saved. Despite our failures and sins, God is forgiving. And, through Christ, we have the power to overcome the world's temptations to sin.

Chapter 5 concludes the book of 1 John, once again emphasizing the supremacy of love in the Christian experience. Those who put their faith in Christ can know, for sure, that they have eternal life. This assurance comes by trusting what we know of the life of Jesus Christ, as well as the evidence of the Holy Spirit within us. Following God's commands, particularly love, results in confidence of our salvation, as well as strength against the temptations of the world.

First John 5 completes the letter by summarizing how Christians can know that they have eternal life. Prior chapters have explained the various signs of ''abiding'' with God, but the key measurement is love. In this final passage, love is once again used as the supreme measurement. In light of the rest of the letter, love for God and love for others is shown to be both a source of confidence and a sign of faith.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.