Breakdown of 1 John 5:20

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has 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." — This verse isn't just saying Jesus revealed God; it emphasizes that He gave us understanding to know the true God. The amazing part is that this knowledge isn't just intellectual, but relationa…

1 John 5:20 Meaning Explained

All verses

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come and has 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.

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse isn't just saying Jesus revealed God; it emphasizes that He gave us understanding to know the true God. The amazing part is that this knowledge isn't just intellectual, but relational, placing us in the true God through Jesus.

What 1 John 5:20 means

John is wrapping up his letter, reinforcing the idea that true knowledge of God comes through Jesus. He's just spoken about the importance of believing in Jesus, the Son of God, and now he emphasizes that this belief isn't just intellectual assent but a profound, transformative relationship that grants us genuine understanding of the Father. This understanding allows us to live in the reality of God's presence through Jesus, who is the very essence of truth and life.

Understanding is a Gift

Ever feel like you're missing something crucial, even when you're trying your best to understand God? This verse offers a profound reason why understanding isn't always about effort.

The verse begins with a powerful declaration: "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding." This isn't just a neutral statement; it's a theological bombshell!

Divine Illumination

True understanding of God isn't something we can conjure up on our own, no matter how much we study or how sincere we are. It's a gift, given to us by Jesus. He is the one who opens our minds and hearts to grasp spiritual realities. Before Jesus, humanity was in a state of spiritual blindness, unable to truly comprehend the divine.

The Purpose of Understanding

Why did Jesus give us this understanding? The verse tells us: "so that we may know him who is true." Our understanding isn't for trivia or theological debates; it's for the intimate, life-changing knowledge of the one true God. It's the capacity to recognize and relate to Him in His reality.

Belonging to the True God

It's one thing to know about God, but what does it mean to be in Him? This verse paints a picture of profound union.

The text moves from receiving understanding to being in God: "and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ."

Identified with Christ

This isn't just about acknowledging God's existence or following His commands. It's about a deep, spiritual union established through Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, we are brought into God's very being. Our identity shifts from being separate from God to being united with Him through His Son.

The Foundation of Reality

John emphasizes that God is "him who is true." In a world full of shifting philosophies and deceptive appearances, God alone is the ultimate reality. Our union with Him means we are rooted in what is eternally real and unchanging. This union is made possible because Jesus Himself is the embodiment of truth.

Understand the original words

Original language

Son of Godυἱός

huios tou Theou · Greek Noun

The second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh to reveal the Father and accomplish the work of salvation.

understandingδιάνοια

dianoia · Greek Noun

The spiritual capacity or insight granted by the Holy Spirit to perceive, discern, and grasp spiritual truth regarding God and His revelation.

trueἀληθινός

alethinos · Greek Adjective

Possessing absolute reality, faithfulness, and genuineness; an attribute belonging essentially to God alone.

eternal lifeαἰώνιος

aionios zoe · Greek Adjective

Life that transcends time and space; the very quality of life that belongs to God Himself, given to those who are in Christ.

Historical context

Written: Late 1st century AD, likely between 90-100 AD.
Author: The Apostle John, traditionally understood as the author, though debated by some scholars.
Location: Written from Ephesus, likely to churches in Asia Minor.
Genre: Epistle (a letter), characterized by its direct address and clear theological assertions.

Key themes

01Divine understanding given
02Knowing the true God
03Union with Jesus Christ
04Jesus, true God and life

Cross-references

John 1:18

This passage echoes the idea that only the Son, who is at the Father's side, can reveal the true God, just as 1 John 5:20 states the Son gives us understanding to know Him.

John 14:6

Jesus claims to be 'the way, and the truth, and the life,' directly paralleling 1 John 5:20's assertion that Jesus Christ is the true God and eternal life, and that knowing Him is paramount.

Colossians 1:15-17

This passage describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God and the one through whom all things were created, underscoring His divine identity as 'the true God' mentioned in 1 John.

1 John 1:2

This earlier verse in the same epistle speaks of the eternal life that was with the Father and appeared to us, connecting directly to 1 John 5:20's identification of Jesus Christ as 'eternal life'.

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What 1 John 5:20 means

Original language

Son of Godυἱός

huios tou Theou · Greek Noun

The second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh to reveal the Father and accomplish the work of salvation.

understandingδιάνοια

dianoia · Greek Noun

The spiritual capacity or insight granted by the Holy Spirit to perceive, discern, and grasp spiritual truth regarding God and His revelation.

trueἀληθινός

alethinos · Greek Adjective

Possessing absolute reality, faithfulness, and genuineness; an attribute belonging essentially to God alone.

eternal lifeαἰώνιος

aionios zoe · Greek Adjective

Life that transcends time and space; the very quality of life that belongs to God Himself, given to those who are in Christ.

Historical context

Written: Late 1st century AD, likely between 90-100 AD.
Author: The Apostle John, traditionally understood as the author, though debated by some scholars.
Location: Written from Ephesus, likely to churches in Asia Minor.
Genre: Epistle (a letter), characterized by its direct address and clear theological assertions.

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 John 5:20 mean?

Explain the meaning of 1 John 5:20

What is the context of 1 John 5:20?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "Son of God" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did The Apostle John, traditionally understood as the author, though debated by some scholars. write 1 John 5:20?”
“How does divine understanding given show up in 1 John 5:20?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about 1 John 5:20 is available in the Sola app.

What 1 John 5:20 means

Understanding is a Gift

Belonging to the True God

Original language

Historical context

Key themes

Cross-references

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

What 1 John 5:20 means

Understanding is a Gift

Belonging to the True God

Original language

Historical context

Key themes

Cross-references

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

Jesus: The True God, Eternal Life