TCNT 1YHN Chapter 5

Overcoming the World by Faith

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves him who has begotten [fn]also loves the one begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—[fn]our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The Testimony of God About His Son

6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three [fn]that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, we should know that the testimony of God is greater, because it is the testimony that God has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

The Knowledge of Eternal Life

13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal [fn]life, and so that you may continue believing [fn]in the name of the Son of God. 14 This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.

16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray for him, and God will give him life. I refer to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

18 We know that no one who has been born of God continues in sin, but he who is born of God guards [fn]himself, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are from God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and given us understanding so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols. [fn]Amen.