1 John 5

1. The Apostle shows further that the love of God, and of the children of God, must always go together. 3. And teacheth that the love of God is showed by the keeping of his commandments, and overcoming of the world, which the regenerate do by faith in Jesus Christ. 6. Whom he proveth to be the Son of God and our Redeemer by a two fold testimony, in heaven of the holy Trinity. 8. And on earth, of the spirit, of the water, and of the blood, 9. And teacheth that we must receive these testimonies, or otherwise that we make God a liar. 11. But they that receive them, that they have eternal life by Christ, 14. And a confidence that by their prayers, they shall obtain all things from God that are necessary to their salvation, 16. And that not only for themselves, but also for themselves, but also for their brother, who sinneth not unto death, 18. Into which sin he teacheth that the regenerate fall not, forasmuch as they rightly know God and his son Jesus Christ, and are in him, 21. Finally exhorts believers to take heed of idols.

1. Every one that believeth [Namely, with such a faith, as is accompanied with all that which belongeth to a true faith: see chapter 4. 2.] that Jesus is the Christ, [that is, the true and promised Messiah. See John 20:31.] he is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begot, [that is, the Father] he loveth him also that is born of him. [that is his children: which seeing it is so among men, the Apostle shows thereby, that if a man love God, he must also love all the children of God who are born of him.]

2. Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, [For from the love of God, as the Origional and fountain, the love of our neighbor must spring and proceed] and keep his commandments.

3. For this is the love of God, [that is, hereby we show that we truly love God] that we keep his commandments are not difficult. [that is, grievous, troublesome: which is not here said to show that we can here perfectly keep these commandments. See chapter 1. 8. And chapter 2. 1. But in respect of the regenerate, in whose heart the holy Ghost so inscribes the commandments of God, that with all he stirs up a desire in them, willingly to do the same, Romans 7:22. And that which any one doth willingly, that is not difficult or troublesome to him. See Matth. 11. 30.]

4. For all that is born of God overcometh the world: [That is, in the spiritual conflict betwixt the spirit of regeneration, and worldly lusts and allurements, whereby we are tempted to turning away from the faith, and transgressing of the commands of God, it keeps the upper hand] and this is the victory [that is, the cause of our victory, because it embraceth Christ through whom we are able to do all things. Philippians 4:13.] which over cometh the world (namely) our faith. [namely, which is accompanied with all that is requisite unto a true faith: for such a faith cannot stand without observing of the commandments of the love of God and our neighbor.]

5. Who is it that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God?

6. He it is who came by water and blood, [The Apostle here hath respect to the water and blood which flowed out of the pierced side of Christ, of which John only maketh mention, John 19:34, 35. And rehearseth the same again here to show that there is a mystery in it, namely, that from him floweth the water of the Holy Ghost, whereby we are cleansed and regenerated, and that by the shedding of his blood on the cross is procured for us, reconciliation with God and the forgiveness of our sins. And thereby was fulfilled that which was represented by the Ceremonies of the Old Testament, which consisted mostly in purifications by water, and shedding the blood of the beasts which were sacrificed: so that this is the sense, seeing Christ being come hath actually fulfilled all that which was represented by the ceremonies of the Old Testament, that therefore this is a clear proof, that he is the true Messiah] (namely) Jesus the Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. [that is, he came not only to bring about benefit of the regeneration, or of the cleansing of our corrupt nature, but together also the benefit of justification or reconciliation with God, by his spirit and blood: which two benefits are not separated one from another] and it is the spirit that testifieth, [that is, the holy spirit testifieth in the hearts of believers. 2 Cor. 1. 22. Ephes. 1. 13.] that the Spirit is truth. [that is, the doctrine of the Gospel, that Jesus is the Christ: which doctrine is called Spirit. 2 Cor. 3. 6. See the annotate there.]

7. For [This verse seeing it contains a very clear testimony of the holy Trinity, seems to have been left out of some copies by the Arrians, but is found in almost all Greek copies, and even by many ancient and worthy Teachers also, who lived before the times of the Arrians, brought out of them for proof of the holy Trinity: and the opposition of the witnesses upon earth ver. 8. Showeth clearly that this verse must be there; as appears also by the ninth verse, where is spoken of this testimony hereof, which may not be doubted of. See Matth. 3. 16. 17. And chapter 17. 5. John 3:31. Acts 2:1. & c.] the Father, the word, [that is the Son of God. See John 1:1.] and the Holy Ghost, and these three [namely, persons. See Matth. 3. Ver. 16. 17. And chapter 28. 19.] are one. [namely, of essence and nature: who testify of this thing all three together and the same thing. A very clear proof and testimony of the Trinity of persons in the unity of the divine essence. See John 10:30.]

8. And there are three [That is, there are also three witnesses on earth, which testify the same] which testify upon earth, the Spirit and the water and the blood. [That is, the Spirit of adoption, which is given to believers in the Church here upon earth, and the water of regeneration, by which the faithful are assured of their fellowship with the Father and the Son, and the blood of the New Testament, whereby they obtain forgiveness of their sins, and reconciliation with God. Others by the Spirit understand the doctrine of the Gospel, and by water, the Sacrament of Baptism, and by blood the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, by which three means, the faithful in the Church here on earth, as by three firm witnesses, are assured of the forgiveness of their sins by Christ, and of eternal life. See also the annotate on vers. 6.] and they three (come) to one. [that is, have respect unto all one thing, and give one kind of testimony thereof, namely, that Jesus is the Saviour and the Son of God, ver. 5.]

9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: [That is, more authentic, and therefore also must be more firmly embraced] for this is the witness of God, which he hath testified of his Son. [namely, Jesus Christ, that he is the true and only Saviour.]

10. He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the witness in himself: [That is, is by the Holy Ghost, who wrought faith in him, convinced and assured hereof in his heart. John 3:33.] he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar: [See chapter 1. Ver. 10.] seeing he hath not believed the testimony, that God hath testified of his Son.

11. And this is the testimony, [Namely, whereof I speak] (namely) that God hath given us [namely, who truly believe in Christ, John 3:36.] eternal life: and this same life is in his Son. [namely, as in a fountain out of whole fullness we receive it, John 1:16. For the Son hath merited life for us, hath power to give us the same, and giveth it also to all that believe in him. See John 6:47, 48, 51. And chapter 17. 2.]

12. He that hath the Son [That is, hath received him by true faith, John 1:12. He hath the beginnings of eternal life already in this life, and hath a certain hope that he shall also perfectly possess the same hereafter. See John 5:24. And chapter 8. 51.] he hath life: he that hath not the Son of God, he hath not life.

13. These things I have written unto you, who believe in the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe [That is, may increase in faith more and more, and persevere therein] in the name of the son of God:

14. And this is the boldness [That is, bold confidence, as Hebrews 4:16. 1 Joh. 2. 28. And 3. 21.] which we have towards him, [namely, God, as he speaketh chapter 3. 21.] that if we pray for any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

15. And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we pray for [Namely, according to his will, as ver. 14.] we know that we obtain [Gr. Have, i.e. shall certainly have] the petitions, [that is, the things which we pray for] which we have prayed for from him.

16. If any man see his brother [That is, his fellow Christian] sin a sin not unto death doth not certainly follow, i.e. which is not unpardonable] he shall pray unto (God) [namely, for his brother that God would forgive him that sin] and he [namely, God, shall forgive him his sins, and so give him life. Or he, namely, who prayeth unto God for the sin of him life, [that is, deliver him from death, which he had deserved by his sin] to them (I say) who sin not unto death: there is a sin unto death, [that is, which certainly brings death with it, which is, the blasphemy against the holy Ghost, when any one denies the truth of the Christian doctrine, whereby he was enlightened and convinced by the Holy Ghost, when any one denies the truth of the Christian doctrine, whereby he was enlightened and convinced by the Holy Ghost, and maliciously blasphemeth and persecuteth the same. See the annotate on Matthew 12:31.] for that (sin) I say not that he shall pray. [namely, for as much as God will not forgive such sinners this sin, but gives them up to their impetinency, even to the end, by reason that they reject and withstand the means unto repentance, which is Christ’s sacrifice, and the conviction of the Holy Ghost.]

17. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death. [This is not to be understood, that there is any sin so light, that it doth not deserve death, how small soever the same may be; for that is contrary to Deuteronomy 27:26. James 2:10. But that it doth not necessarily bring death with it, but may be forgiven, if the sinner show a sincere grief and sorrow for it.]

18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not: [Namely, unto death: nor so that sin hath dominion over him. See 1 John 3:9.] but he that is born of God keepeth himself, [namely, that he fall not into this sin] and the wicked one [that is, the Devil, who seeketh to bring him to this sin, Matth. 6. 13.] catcheth him not. [or toucheth him not, i.e. hath no hold of him to draw him into this sin.]

19. We know that we [Namely, who believe in Christ] are of God, and that the whole word [that is, all other men who are not regenerate, nor do believe] lyeth in that which is wicked. [that is, in the sin and under the power of the Devil.]

20. But we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us understanding, [That is, the right and saving knowledge of the true God, in which eternal life consisteth, John 17:3. Or given us understanding, that we may know the true one] that we know the true one; [that is, the true and living God, the Father of our Saviour Jesus Christ] and we are in the true one; [That is, we have communion with him by faith, chapter 1. 3.] (namely) [others insert here the word and, as chapter 1. 3. And by this true One understand the father also, as the foregoing] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, [namely, Jesus Christ. See John 17:3.] and eternal life. [that is, the Author, purchaser, and giver of eternal life, John 1:4. And chapter 10. 28. And chapter 14. 6.]

21. Little children, keep yourselves [That is, take heed, & be careful that ye desire not your selves with any Idolatry] from idols; [that is, false gods, or images which are abused do idolatry] from idols; [that is, false gods, or images which are abused to idolatry, that ye yield the same no kind of honour or worship, seeing it can by no means consist with the Christian Religion and true worship of God.] Amen.