1 John 5:9-13 (NKJV) If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 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.
We read of some things about the Son of God–Jesus. Jesus had the testimony of His Father (Matthew 3:17), those who believe have the witness in them, and believers have eternal life from Jesus who has the character trait of life (John 14:6).
V9 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.” Who has the greater credibility–God or humans? Obviously God does. Jesus had this witness from His Father (Matthew 3:17 and
Matthew 17:5). With such a strong witness, we should lay aside ourselves and bow before our Lord and Savior–the Lord Jesus.
V10 “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.” Those who believe in the Son of God (John 3:16) already have the witness. “Believe not” implies a will that refuses to believe.
Some comments:
“Faith in the person of Christ, not merely in the fact that Jesus is the Son of God” (Vincent).
“When a man does accept His testimony concerning His Son, God seals the truth by giving the man the witness of the Spirit in himself. On the other hand, if a man disbelieves God, he makes Him a liar; because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. People think they can accept or reject God’s testimony concerning Christ, but John would have them know that to reject it is to accuse God of dishonesty.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary).
V11 “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” Without the Son of God there is no redemption, no eternal life, no forgiveness of sins, no assurance, no peace with God, etc. The life that the Son of God, Jesus, gives is an eternal life without end.
V12 “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” This is plain and simple. We must believe the authentic Jesus of the 4 Gospels. This is not a belief like the demons have (James 2:19), for we trust and wish to serve God. Faith is believing God. Trust is best illustrated by trust in anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. We are children of the Father (John 1:12 and Romans 8:16-21) and servants of the Lord Jesus (John 18:36 and Revelation 1:1).
V13 “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.” This letter is written for and to believers in Jesus Christ. It is written to increase our assurance of faith. It is written to encourage us to continue faithful and truth to our Lord Jesus.
We learn:
• Jesus is THE life.
• God the Father gave witness.
• We have assurance of salvation.