1 John – Chapter 5

New Testament21 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 John 5 opens with the words: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him." Across its 21 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and sin and divine judgment. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him.

2In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep his commandments.

3For this is the charity of God: That we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not heavy.

4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. And this is the victory which overcameth the world: Our faith.

5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth that Christ is the truth.

7And there are Three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.

8And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit and the water and the blood. And these three are one.

9If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son.

10He that believeth in the Son of God hath the testimony of God in himself. He that believeth not the Son maketh him a liar: because he believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son.

11And this is the testimony that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his Son.

12He that hath the Son hath life. He that hath not the Son hath not life.

13These things I write to you that you may know that you have eternal life: you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

14And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That, whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he heareth us.

15And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we have the petitions which we request of him.

16He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask: and life shall be given to him who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death. For that I say not that any man ask.

17All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death.

18We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not: but the generation of God preserveth him and the wicked one toucheth him not.

19We know that we are of God and the whole world is seated in wickedness.

20And we know that the Son of God is come. And he hath given us understanding that we may know the true God and may be in his true Son. This is the true God and life eternal.

21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Important Verses in 1 John 5

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him.

1 John 5:1

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. And this is the victory which overcameth the world: Our faith.

1 John 5:4

And this is the testimony that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:11

And we know that the Son of God is come. And he hath given us understanding that we may know the true God and may be in his true Son. This is the true God and life eternal.

1 John 5:20

Historical Context

1 John addresses the churches of Asia, anchored in the truth of the Incarnation and in love within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 5 of 5 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also…" It concludes: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. " In terms of historical background, Written against early heretics who denied that Christ truly came in the flesh, this letter gives the Church its tests of authentic faith: right belief in the incarnate Son, obedience to the commandments, and love of the… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, author of the fourth Gospel

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

The apostolic author instructs the Church on doctrine, morality, and community life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 113). Here, John's teaching on love grounds Catholic spirituality (CIC 1828). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

Reflection for Today

The concluding section of 1 John—Chapter 5 of 5—opens a particular moment in the story of God is love and walking in the light.

According to Catholic teaching, John's teaching on love grounds Catholic spirituality (CIC 1828). This chapter especially highlights the role of the sacraments in sanctification, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 618).

May your reading of 1 John Chapter 5 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 John Chapter 5 about?

1 John 5 contains 21 verses. It opens with "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also…" and closes with "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. ". The book as a whole is epistle.

What is a key verse in 1 John 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote 1 John and when?

The Apostle John, author of the fourth Gospel. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

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