Devine Scripture

1 John 5:13

What does 1 John 5:13 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 5:13 means

John writes so that believers “may know that ye have eternal life… that ye believe on the name of the Son of God.” Assurance is part of God’s design, not spiritual presumption. The ground is not our worthiness but God’s testimony about His Son. To believe on the Son’s name—His revealed person and authority—is to have life, and John wants that to be known and enjoyed now. Such knowledge steadies the soul, fuels obedience, and emboldens prayer. He is not unsettling true believers but securing them, especially against false teachers who cloud assurance by denying Jesus’ identity or redefining the nature of life in Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I have put these things in writing for you who have faith in the name of the Son of God, so that you may be certain that you have eternal life.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

These things I did write to you who are believing in the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that life ye have age-during, and that ye may believe in the name of the Son of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

These 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

These things have I written to you that ye may know that ye have eternal life who believe on the name of the Son ofGod.

Context

Verse 13 serves as a purpose statement for the letter’s climactic section, following the witness of verses 6–12. With assurance in view, verses 14–15 immediately turn to prayer, showing that confident access to God is a fruit of this knowledge when we ask according to His will. Verses 16–17 then give a concrete case: praying for a sinning brother, with discernment about the “sin unto death,” thereby balancing boldness with sobriety. The chapter will finish (verses 18–21) with three “we know” affirmations and a final call to avoid idols.

v.12He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life.

v.13This passage

v.14And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 1:4

    and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.

  • John 2:23

    Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.

  • 1 John 1:1

    That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

  • Romans 8:15

    For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  • John 1:12

    But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:

  • 1 Timothy 1:15

    Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:

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