Devine Scripture

1 John 5:4

What does 1 John 5:4 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 5:4 means

Everyone born of God “overcometh the world.” The “world” is the system opposed to God—its values, pressures, and unbelief. New birth introduces a new allegiance, so the world no longer rules the heart. John says the victory that has overcome the world is “our faith.” Faith unites us to Jesus, the true Overcomer, and draws strength from Him. This is not triumphalism but steady confidence that the world’s allure and threats cannot finally master those God has begotten. Faith shifts our center of gravity: we live from God’s life, not from the world’s approval or fear, and so we can keep God’s commands with hope.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Anything which comes from God is able to overcome the world: and the power by which we have overcome the world is our faith.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because every one who is begotten of God doth overcome the world, and this is the victory that did overcome the world--our faith;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For all that has been begotten ofGod gets the victory over the world; and this is the victory which has gotten the victory over the world, our faith.

Context

Flowing from verse 3’s assertion that God’s commands are not burdensome, verse 4 supplies the reason: new birth brings victory over the world’s hostile influence. John highlights faith as the instrument of that victory. In verse 5 he will sharpen this by identifying the specific confession of victorious faith—believing that Jesus is the Son of God. That sets up verses 6–8, where John supplies divine testimony—Spirit, water, and blood—to confirm who Jesus is. The argument progresses from obedience, to empowerment, to the trustworthy content of Christian belief about Christ.

v.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

v.4This passage

v.5And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 2:26

    And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations:

  • 1 John 4:4

    Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

  • 1 John 3:9

    Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:57

    but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

  • Revelation 2:11

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

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