1 John 5:20
What does 1 John 5:20 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 5:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 5:20 means
John crowns the letter with a rich confession. “We know that the Son of God is come” in real history, and He has given us understanding to know “him that is true.” Knowing God is His gift through the Son. Further, “we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ”—union with the Father is through union with the Son. John concludes: “This is the true God, and eternal life.” The most natural reading points to Jesus Christ as fully divine and Himself eternal life. Assurance rests finally in the reality of the incarnate, divine Son and our participation in Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And we are certain that the Son of God has come, and has given us a clear vision, so that we may see 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and we have known that the Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ; this one is the true God and the life age-during!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And we know that the Son ofGod has come, and has given us an understanding that we should know him that [is] true; and we are in him that [is] true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the trueGod and eternal life.
Context
Verse 20 completes the trio of certainties with the highest truth: the Son’s coming, the understanding He gives, our union with the true God in His Son, and the climactic confession of Jesus’ deity and life-giving identity. This grand affirmation sets the stage for the brief closing command of verse 21. In light of the true God revealed in Jesus Christ, believers must reject every false rival and counterfeit image. The chapter thus ends by moving from confession to caution—cling to the true; shun the false.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 54:5
For thy Maker is thy husband; Jehovah of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
- Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.
- 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
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 1:8
but of the Sonhe saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
- John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
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