1 John 5:20 - Printer Friendly

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.

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).

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.