Faith, love, and obedience
1 John 5:1–5FocusOvercoming the world
Connection to the wholeThe opening connects belief concerning Jesus with love for God's children and keeping His commandments.
interpretation 1 John 5:16
KJVIf any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Read it in context
Assurance, prayer, and keeping
Start reading at 1 John 5:13 (1 John 5:13 to 1 John 5:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The purpose statement is followed by teaching on prayer and sin, ending in confidence concerning the true God and the command to keep from idols.
- 5:13 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.
- 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
- 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
- 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
- 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
- 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
- 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
- 5:20 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.
- 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author, associated with the eyewitness testimony and teaching also found in the Gospel of John. Biblical references: 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:3. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Epistles of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 John 3:1–5:21): The same community receives instruction about love, righteous conduct, testing spirits, faith in Jesus Christ, and prayer. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Believers in the name of the Son of God, addressed as children and beloved, facing false teaching and a separation within their community. No city is named. Biblical references: 1 John 2:19; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 5:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Assurance, prayer, and keeping. Read 1 John 5:13 through 1 John 5:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The purpose statement is followed by teaching on prayer and sin, ending in confidence concerning the true God and the command to keep from idols. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The writing addresses current claims, departures, and conduct among its readers without supplying a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? No city of destination or composition is explicitly named. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Assurance, prayer, and keeping (1 John 5:13 to 1 John 5:21). Start reading at 1 John 5:13. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The writing centers on Jesus Christ come in the flesh, His cleansing and advocacy, and abiding in Him. Love and obedience are presented as tests of claimed fellowship. See 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Test claims of fellowship by truth, love, and obedience. Assurance should be read with the letter's calls to abide and its warnings about deception. interpretation
Cited: 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:21, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe letter does not name its author, but claims eyewitness testimony of the Word of life.
1 John 1:1
Early traditionEarly testimony names John the apostle, and the style closely matches the Gospel of John.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- he shall ask Gen 20:7,17 Exod 32:10-14,31-32 Exod 34:9 Num 12:13 Num 14:11-21 Deut 9:18-20 2 Chr 30:18-20 Job 42:7-9
- There Num 15:30 Num 16:26-32 1 Sam 2:25 Jer 15:1-2 Matt 12:31-32 Mark 3:28-30 Luke 12:10 2 Tim 4:14
- I do not Jer 7:16 Jer 11:14 Jer 14:11 Jer 18:18-21 John 17:9
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 John 5
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
1 John 1:3 1 John 2:1 1 John 2:12 1 John 5:13
God's witness concerning His Son
1 John 5:6–12FocusThe testimony and eternal life
Connection to the wholeThe letter directs confidence toward God's testimony and states that the life He gives is in His Son.
interpretation FocusKnowing Him and guarding from idols
Connection to the wholeThe purpose statement is followed by teaching on prayer and sin, ending in confidence concerning the true God and the command to keep from idols.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 John
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
1 John 1:3 1 John 2:1 1 John 2:12 1 John 5:13
The witnessed life and fellowship
1 John 1:1–2:2FocusLight, confession, and the advocate
Connection to the wholeThe opening testimony leads to tests of walking in the light and to the provision for sin through Jesus Christ.
interpretation Knowing and abiding
1 John 2:3–29FocusObedience, love, and resisted deception
Connection to the wholeThe letter tests claims to know God, warns against the world and antichrists, and urges the readers to abide in what they heard.
interpretation Children of God and discernment
1 John 3:1–4:6FocusRighteousness, love, and tested spirits
Connection to the wholeThe community's identity is connected to conduct and love, while competing spiritual claims are tested by their confession concerning Jesus Christ.
interpretation Love, faith, and testimony
1 John 4:7–5:12FocusGod's love and life in His Son
Connection to the wholeThe argument connects God's initiating love with mutual love, obedient faith, and the testimony God has given concerning His Son.
interpretation FocusPrayer, guarding, and the true God
Connection to the wholeThe closing purpose statement joins assurance with prayer and watchfulness, ending with the warning to keep from idols.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.