Bible Commentaries
1 John 5

Verse 1

Whosoeve r = Every one who.

believeth . App-150 .

Jesus . App-98 .

Christ . App-98 .

born = begotten.

of . App-104 .

God . App-98 .

loveth . App-135 .

begat, begotten . Same word as "born", above.

Verse 2

By = In. App-104 .

know . App-132 .

children . App-108 .

keep . The texts read "do".

Verse 3

love . App-135 .

that . Greek. hina. Keeping His commandments is a result of His love being shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5 ). Compare Psalms 119:97 , Psalms 119:119 , Psalms 119:163 , &c.

keep . See Matthew 19:17 .

grievous = burdensome. Greek. barus . See Acts 20:29 .

Verse 4

For = Because.

world . App-129 .

faith . App-150 .

Verse 5

but = except. Greek. ei me .

Son of God . App-98 .

Verse 6

by . App-104 . 1 John 5:1 .

water . Referring to His baptism, when witness was given to Him by the voice from heaven and the descent of the Spirit.

Jesus Christ . App-98 .

blood . The texts read "in (Greek. en) the blood".

Spirit . App-101 .

beareth witness . See 1 John 1:2 .

truth . See 1 John 1:6 .

Verse 7

bear record = bear witness, as in 1 John 5:6 .

in heaven, &c . The texts read, "the Spirit, and the water", &c, omitting all the words from "in heaven" to "in earth" (1 John 5:8 ) inclusive. The words are not found in any Greek. MS. before the sixteenth century. They were first seen in the margin of some Latin copies. Thence they have crept into the text.

Verse 8

in . App-104 .

Verse 9

If. App-118 .

witness . Greek. marturia. See p. 1511.

men . App-123 .

testified . Same as "bear witness", 1 John 5:6 .

of = concerning. App-104 .

Verse 10

believeth on . App-150 .

in . App-104 .

believeth . App-150 .

not . App-105 .

liar . Compare 1 John 1:10 .

believeth = believeth on, as above.

record . Same as "witness", 1 John 5:9 .

gave . Literally hath witnessed.

Verse 11

hath given = gave. See Romans 6:23 .

eternal . App-151 .

life . App-170 .

Verse 12

life = the life (1 John 5:11 ).

Verse 13

have I written = I wrote.

unto = to.

that believe, &c . This clause is omitted by all the texts and by the Syriac.

know . App-132 .

and . . . may . The texts read "even unto you that".

Verse 14

confidence . See 1 John 2:28 .

in = toward. App-104 .

if . App-118 .

ask . App-134 .

according to . App-104 .

will . App-102 .

Verse 15

if . App-118 .

petitions . App-134 . Compare Matthew 7:7 . John 14:13 ; John 15:7 .

desired = have desired. Same as "ask", 1 John 5:14 .

of . App-104 .

Verse 16

any man = any one. App-123 .

see . App-133 .

sin = sinning. App-128 .

sin . App-128 .

unto . App-104 .

a . Omit.

pray . App-134 .

for = concerning. App-104 .

it = that. The sin unto death was one that might result in the brother being cut off. Compare 1 Corinthians 11:30 , where many had sinned unto death "many sleep". See also James 5:14 , James 5:16 , where there is the same recognition of sickness being due to some special sins, as in 1 Corinthians 11:30 , and of intercessory prayer as here. It is not a single act, but a continued habit.

Verse 17

unrighteousness . App-128 . Compare 1 John 3:4 .

Verse 18

sinneth not . i.e. does not practise, or continue in sin. Compare 1Jn 3:6 , 1 John 3:9 . Romans 6:1-12 . App-128 .

He that, &c . This refers to the Lord. As the Jehovah of the O.T. He was the keeper of Israel (Psalms 121:4 , Psalms 121:5 , &c). See also Joh 17:12 . 2 Thessalonians 3:3 .Revelation 3:10 .

himself . Most texts read "him".

wicked one . App-128 . Compare 1 John 2:13 , 1Jn 2:14 ; 1 John 3:12 .

toucheth . Greek. haptomai. In John's writings only here and in John 20:17 . Thirty-one times in the three other Gospels, generally in connection with the Lord's miracles. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 7:1 . 2 Corinthians 6:17 . Colossians 2:21 .

Verse 19

wickedness = the wicked one, as 1 John 5:18 . He is the prince of this world (John 14:30 , &c), and the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4 ).

Verse 20

is come . Not the word used in 1 John 4:2 , 1 John 4:3 ; 1 John 5:6 ( erchomai ), but heko , to be present. Compare John 8:42 .Hebrews 10:7 , Hebrews 10:9 , Hebrews 10:37 . In the last reference the two verbs are seen: "shall come" ( erchomai ); "will come" ( heko ).

understanding . Greek. dianoia. Translated nine times "mind", once "imagination" (Luke 1:51 ), and "understanding" here, Ephesians 1:18 ; Ephesians 4:18 .

true . App-175 . This refers to the Father. Compare 1 John 2:5 , 1 John 2:24 ; 1Jn 3:24 ; 1 John 4:12-16 . This, &c. Also referring to the Father, the source of life (John 5:26 ), which life was manifested in His Son (1 John 1:2 ), and is given to us through, and in, Him (verses: 1 John 5:11-12 above, and Romans 6:23 ).

Verse 21

Little children . App-108 .

keep = guard, as Jude 1:24 .

from . App-104 .

idols . As in 1 Corinthians 8:4 . An idol may not be a material one, but may consist in whatever a man looks to for help, apart from the Living God. See Ephesians 5:6 . Colossians 3:5 .

Amen . The texts omit.