1 John 5
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God," and "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." God has given his witness of his Son: "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life." The writer says he wrote "that ye may know that ye have eternal life," gives confidence that God hears prayer "according to his will," and closes, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:11 John 5:41 John 5:91 John 5:111 John 5:121 John 5:131 John 5:141 John 5:211 John overview
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The writer and those "that believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:131 John overview
Where
The letter does not name its writer or its place. Early tradition places John at Ephesus in his later years and links the letter with the churches of the province of Asia. 1 John overview
When
Traditionally about AD 85-95, late in the apostle John's life. Many scholars date it about AD 90-110 and credit it to a leader in the circle linked with John's Gospel; others hold that John wrote it. 1 John overview
How it fits
Chapter 4 ended with the command "That he who loveth God love his brother also"; this chapter shows that loving God means keeping his commandments. Near the end the writer says why he wrote: "that ye may know that ye have eternal life." 1 John 4:211 John 5:21 John 5:31 John 5:131 John overview
Key verses
- Verse 4
"This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, "thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 John 5:41 John 5:51 Corinthians 15:57
- Verse 12
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:111 John 5:12
- Verse 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." John 20:31 says the Gospel was written "that believing ye might have life through his name." 1 John 5:13John 20:31
Takeaway
Eternal life is in God's Son; believe on him, and you can know you have that life and pray with confidence. 1 John 5:111 John 5:131 John 5:14
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-30.
Faith overcomes the world
1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
The witness of God
6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
That ye may know
13These 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. 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 16If 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. 17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 18We 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. 19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20And 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. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.