1 João 5
John Piper · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 João 5:1
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him: Greek - Pas ho pisteuon (PAPMSN) hoti Iesous estin (3SPAI) ho Christos ek tou theou gegennetai (3SRPI) kai pas ho agapon (PAPMSN) ton gennesanta (AAPMSA) agapa (3SPAI) kai ton gegennemenon (RPPMSA) ex autou. KJV 1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. BGT 1 John 5:1 Πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς, ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ γεγέννηται, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν γεννήσαντα ἀγαπᾷ [καὶ] τὸν γεγεννημένον ἐξ αὐτοῦ. NET 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves the father loves the child fathered by him. CSB 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. ESV 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. NIV 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. NLT 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. NRS 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. NJB 1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and whoever loves the father loves the son. NAB 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him. MIT 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God. Everyone who loves the one who generated also loves one fathered by him. GWN 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born from God. Everyone who loves the Father also loves his children. BBE 1 John 5:1 Everyone who has faith that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God: and everyone who has love for the Father has love for his child. RSV 1 John 5:1 Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child. NKJ 1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. ASV 1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. DBY 1 John 5:1 Every one that believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God; and every one that loves him that has begotten loves also him that is begotten of him.
1 João 5:1
Piper explains that "Some Belief Is Not Saving. In view of this, John 2:23–25+ has an unsettling effect. What it says, in essence, is that Jesus knows what is in every heart, and so he can see when someone believes in a way that is not really believing. In other words, Jesus’ ability to know every heart perfectly leads to the unsettling truth that some belief is not the kind of belief that obtains fellowship with Jesus and eternal life. Some belief is not saving belief." (If you are unsure of this truth read Dr Piper's full sermon - He Knew What Was in Man). We see another example of belief in Jesus which did not continue in John 8:30+ where John records that many Jews "came to believe in Him." Jesus Himself demonstrates that their "faith" did not continue because a few minutes late He asked these "believing Jews" "Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” (cf 1Jn 5:1 phrase "born of God") (Jn 8:46-47+) Their faith failed to continue and was clear evidence to Jesus that they were not born of God! Kenneth
1 João 5:2
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments: Greek - en touto ginoskomen (1PPAI) hoti agapomen (1PPAI) ta tekna tou theou hotan ton theon agapomen (1PPAS) kai tas entolas autou poiomen (1PPAS). KJV 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. BGT 1 John 5:2 ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἀγαπῶμεν τὰ τέκνα τοῦ θεοῦ, ὅταν τὸν θεὸν ἀγαπῶμεν καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ ποιῶμεν. NET 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and obey his commandments. CSB 1 John 5:2 This is how we know that we love God's children when we love God and obey His commands. ESV 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. NIV 1 John 5:2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. NLT 1 John 5:2 We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments. NRS 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. NJB 1 John 5:2 In this way we know that we love God's children, when we love God and keep his commandments. NAB 1 John 5:2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. YLT 1 John 5:2 in this we know that we love the children of God, when we may love God, and His commands may keep; MIT 1 John 5:2 By this process we know we love the children of God—by loving God and implementing his commands. GWN 1 John 5:2 We know that we love God's children when we love God by obeying his commandments. BBE 1 John 5:2 In this way, we are certain that we have love for the children of God, when we have love for God and keep his laws. RSV 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. NKJ 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ASV 1 John 5:2 Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. Amplified - By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)—[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].
1 João 5:3
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome: Greek - aute gar estin (3SPAI) e agape tou theou hina tas entolas autou teromen (1PPAS) kai ai entolai autou bareiai ouk eisin (3PPAI) KJV 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. BGT 1 John 5:3 αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν, καὶ αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὐτοῦ βαρεῖαι οὐκ εἰσίν. NET 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down, CSB 1 John 5:3 For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, ESV 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. NIV 1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, NLT 1 John 5:3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. NRS 1 John 5:3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, NJB 1 John 5:3 This is what the love of God is: keeping his commandments. Nor are his commandments burdensome, NAB 1 John 5:3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, YLT 1 John 5:3 for this is the love of God, that His commands we may keep, and His commands are not burdensome; MIT 1 John 5:3 For this is what love for God means: We comply with his commands, and that is not difficult. GWN 1 John 5:3 To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn't difficult BBE 1 John 5:3 For loving God is keeping his laws: and his laws are not hard. RSV 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. NKJ 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. ASV 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Amplified - For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).
1 João 5:3
Piper writes that "Sometimes people equate keeping commandments with loving God. Often they quote John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” But this text clearly distinguishes loving Christ from obeying his commandments. If you love me—that’s one thing—then you will keep my commandments—that’s another thing. The one leads to the other. If you have the one, you will do the other. Love and commandment-keeping are not identical. It’s not wrong to say that loving Jesus, or loving God, includes doing what he commands. But that’s not all it is. Which is why John says in 1 John 5:3, “And his commandments are not burdensome.” Loving God is not just external obedience; it means having a heart for God that doesn’t find his commandments burdensome. And if the commandments are not burdensome, what are they? They are desirable. What you desire to do with your whole heart is not burdensome to do. Listen to the psalmist. Psalm 40:8: “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 119:24: “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” Psalm 119:35: “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” Psalm 119:92: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Loving God means admiring and valuing and treasuring and desiring him with such ardency and authenticity that his will is our delight and is not burdensome." (What Happens When We Are Born Again) P G Matthew - If we complain to God, “Your yoke is heavy and your commands are grievous,” then the love of God is not animating us. When God’s love truly fills our hearts, we will agree with the Bible that his yoke is easy, his burden is light, and his commands are a joy. Love (26)(agape) is a love that impels one to sacrifice one’s self for the benefit of the object loved and speaks of a love which is awakened by a sense of value in the object loved, an apprehension of its preciousness. Love of God calls for denial of (death to) self. Agape is unconditional, sacrificial love and Biblically refers to a love that God is (1Jn 4:8,16), that God shows (Jn 3:16, 1Jn 4:9) and that God enables in His children (fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:22+). Agape is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good of the one loved. While agape is not primarily a feeling, it is certainly not without feeling. It might be called "caring commitment." While it is a command to love one another, and it is thus a "duty," it is also and predominantly a delight. Agape is an attitude manifest by actions, caring, committed actions. Agape often involves sacrifice, and is supremely exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice of Himself on the Cross. Agape love impels one to sacrifice one’s self for the benefit of the object loved… (it) speaks of a love which is awakened by a sense of value in the object loved, an apprehension of its preciousness.
1 João 5:3
Piper - How Dead People Do Battle with Sin Daily Light on the Daily Path - His commandments are not burdensome. “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life.”—Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. . . . Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding. . . . Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.—Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.—I delight in the law of God, in my inner being. This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.—Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 1 John 5:3; John 6:40; 1 John 3:22; Matt. 11:30; John 14:15, 21; Prov. 3:13, 17; Ps. 119:165; Rom. 7:22; 1 John 3:23; Rom. 13:10 John says God’s commands distinguish love from sin and are not burdensome (see 1 John 3:4; 5:3). The world says God’s commands are chains to be broken and shackles to be thrown off (see Psalm 2:3). Which attitude characterizes you? Matthew
1 João 5:5
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?: Greek - tis de estin (3SPAI) o nikon (PAPMSN) ton kosmon ei me o pisteuon (PAPMSN) hoti Iesous estin (3SPAI) o huios tou theou: KJV 1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? BGT 1 John 5:5 Τίς [δέ] ἐστιν ὁ νικῶν τὸν κόσμον εἰ μὴ ὁ πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ; NET 1 John 5:5 Now who is the person who has conquered the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? CSB 1 John 5:5 And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ESV 1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NIV 1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. NLT 1 John 5:5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. NRS 1 John 5:5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NJB 1 John 5:5 Who can overcome the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NAB 1 John 5:5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? YLT 1 John 5:5 who is he who is overcoming the world, if not he who is believing that Jesus is the Son of God? MIT 1 John 5:5 Who is victorious over the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is God's son. GWN 1 John 5:5 Who wins the victory over the world? Isn't it the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? BBE 1 John 5:5 Who is able to overcome the world but the man who has faith that Jesus is the Son of God? RSV 1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NKJ 1 John 5:5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ASV 1 John 5:5 And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Amplified - Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
1 João 5:6
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth: Technical Note: If you use the older version of the NAS (1977), you should be aware that the new version (1995) has a change in 1Jn 5:6-7. The newer version shifts verse 7 in the 1977 version (And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth) to the end of verse 8. Greek - Houtos estin (3SPAI) o elthon (AAP) di hudatos kai haimatos Iesous Christos ouk en to hudati monon all en to hudati kai en to haimati kai to pneuma estin (3SPAI) to marturoun (PAP) hoti to pneuma estin (3SPAI) e aletheia: KJV 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. BGT 1 John 5:6 οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἐλθὼν δι᾽ ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, οὐκ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι μόνον ἀλλ᾽ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι καὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι· καὶ τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν τὸ μαρτυροῦν, ὅτι τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἡ ἀλήθεια. NET 1 John 5:6 Jesus Christ is the one who came by water and blood– not by the water only, but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. CSB 1 John 5:6 Jesus Christ-- He is the One who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ESV 1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and blood-- Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. NIV 1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. NLT 1 John 5:6 And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross-- not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. NRS 1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. NJB 1 John 5:6 He it is who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with water alone but with water and blood, and it is the Spirit that bears witness, for the Spirit is Truth. NAB 1 John 5:6 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. YLT 1 John 5:6 This one is he who did come through water and blood -- Jesus the Christ, not in the water only, but in the water and the blood; and the Spirit it is that is testifying, because the Spirit is the truth, MIT 1 John 5:6 This one, Jesus Christ, came through water and blood—not by water alone, but by water and blood. God's spirit certifies this, because the spirit is truth. GWN 1 John 5:6 This Son of God is Jesus Christ, who came by water and blood. He didn't come with water only, but with water and with blood. The Spirit is the one who verifies this, because the Spirit is the truth. BBE 1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and by blood, Jesus Christ; not by water only but by water and by blood. 7 And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is true. RSV 1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. 7 And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. NKJ 1 John 5:6 This is He who came by water and blood-- Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. ASV 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. 7 And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth. DBY 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus the Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, for the Spirit is the truth. NIRV 1 John 5:6 Jesus Christ is the one who was baptized in water and died on the cross. He wasn't just baptized in water. He also died on the cross. The Holy Spirit has given a truthful witness about him. That's because the Spirit is the truth. RWB 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. Amplified - This is He Who came by (with) water and blood His baptism and His death], Jesus Christ (the Messiah)—not by (in) the water only, but by (in) the water and the blood. And it is the [Holy] Spirit Who bears witness, because the [Holy] Spirit is the Truth.
1 João 5:7
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:7 For there are three that testify: KJV 1 John 5:7-8 - For there are three that bear record [in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one] 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth. Almost all authorities agree that the text in bold italics above in the KJV is not in the original Greek and for that reason those words are not found in most modern translation (ESV, NAS, ESV, NIV) See discussion below on so-called "Johannine Comma" On a separate note related to translation, if you use the older version of the NAS (1977), be aware that the new version (1995) shifts the first clause of verse 8 (For there are three that bear witness) to verse 7. The clause that was present in the 1977 version (And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth) is in turn shifted to the end of verse 6 in the 1995 NAS. BGT 1 John 5:7 ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες, NET 1 John 5:7 For there are three that testify, CSB 1 John 5:7 For there are three that testify: ESV 1 John 5:7 For there are three that testify: NIV 1 John 5:7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. NLT 1 John 5:7 So we have these three witnesses-- NRS 1 John 5:7 There are three that testify: NJB 1 John 5:7 So there are three witnesses, NAB 1 John 5:7 So there are three that testify, YLT 1 John 5:7 because three are who are testifying in the heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these -- the three -- are one; MIT 1 John 5:7 There are three certifiers: GWN 1 John 5:7 There are three witnesses: BBE 1 John 5:8 There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood: and all three are in agreement. RSV 1 John 5:8 There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. NKJ 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. ASV 1 John 5:8 For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one. Greek - hoti treis eisin (3PPAI) hoi marturountes (PAP) bear: 1Jn 5:10,11 John 8:13,14 1 John 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 17:6; “On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. Deuteronomy 19:15 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. John 8:17-18 “Even in your law it has been written, that the testimony of two men is true.18 “I am He who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. THE TRIFECTA TESTIMONY For (hoti) is a term of explanation, which always begs the question of what is the writer explaining? In this case it is not completely clear. For example, Westcott says "This clause appears to give the reason for the main proposition in 1Jn 5:5-note, that ‘Jesus is the Son of God,’ a truth briefly expressed and affirmed by His full Name, ‘Jesus Christ.’ (in 1Jn 5:6-note) A E Brooke offers a somewhat similar thought that this term of explanation explains why the "witness to the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is trustworthy. It fulfils the conditions of legally valid witness, as laid down in Dt. 19:15." There are three that testify (martureo - present tense) - John has only mentioned one witness up to this point, declaring that "it is the Spirit Who testifies" in 1Jn 5:6+. He had stated that Jesus came by water and blood, but did not refer to them as witnesses at that time. These three witnesses are specifically named in the next verse (1Jn 5:8+). Testify is in the present tense signifying that all three witnesses continue to testify to the truth of Jesus Christ. Vine says "the present continuous tense indicates the permanency of the witness." In other words, the present tense indicates that the water and the blood continue to bear witness concerning the Jesus Christ "whenever the historical facts concerning His baptism and death are read or proclaimed." (Hiebert) Three that testify - Who are the three that testify or give witness? "the Spirit and the water and the blood" as recorded in 1Jn 5:8. To what do they testify? In context they testify to the truths concerning Jesus Christ which John has just recorded… 1Jn 5:1+ "Jesus is the Christ" (Or as rendered in 1Jn 5:1HCSB "Jesus is the Messiah") 1Jn 5:5+ "Jesus is the Son of God." 1Jn 5:6+ "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ" Three (5140)(treis) is the cardinal number three. Treis - 69x in 62v translated Usage: fifty-three*(1), thirty(1), three(66), twenty-three*(1).- Mt 12:40; 13:33; 15:32; 17:4; 18:16, 20; 26:61; 27:40, 63; Mark 8:2, 31; 9:5, 31; 10:34; 14:58; 15:29; Luke 1:56; 2:46; 4:25; 9:33; 10:36; 11:5; 12:52; 13:7, 21; John 2:6, 19f; 21:11; Acts 5:7; 7:20; 9:9; 10:19; 11:11; 17:2; 19:8; 20:3; 25:1; 28:7, 11f, 15, 17; 1Cor 10:8; 13:13; 14:27, 29; 2Cor 13:1; Gal 1:18; 1 Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28; Jas 5:17; 1 John 5:7f; Rev 6:6; 8:13; 9:18; 11:9, 11; 16:13, 19; 21:13 Why does John mention three "witnesses"? While one cannot be dogmatic it would be reasonable to follow the pattern presented for human witnesses as described by Moses in Deuteronomy "A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed." (Dt 19:15) A number of other Scriptural passages describe the number of witnesses required to validate a particular point - Deut 17:6; Mt 18:16; Jn 8:17; 2Cor 13:1; 1Ti 5:19. (See related comments on Three witnesses). Brooke adds that "The stress laid by the order upon ‘three’ emphasises this thought of the fulness of the number of the witnesses, and the consequent certainty of that which they affirm. The faith in Jesus as ‘the Christ, the Son of God’ is reasonable according to the ordinary laws of belief." (1 John 5 Commentary - ICC NT Commentary)
1 João 5:8
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement: Greek - to pneuma kai to hudor kai to haima kai oi treis eis to en eisin (3SPAI): BGT τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ τὸ αἷμα, καὶ οἱ τρεῖς εἰς τὸ ἕν εἰσιν. NET the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three are in agreement. CSB the Spirit, the water, and the blood-- and these three are in agreement. ESV the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. NIV the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. NLT the Spirit, the water, and the blood-- and all three agree. NRS the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. NJB the Spirit, water and blood; and the three of them coincide. NAB the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord. YLT and three are who are testifying in the earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three are into the one. MIT The spirit, the water, and the blood. These three coalesce into one certification. GWN the Spirit, the water, and the blood. These three witnesses agree. BBE There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood: and all three are in agreement. RSV There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. NKJ And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. ASV For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one. there: 1Jn 5:7 the spirit: 1Jn 5:6 Mt 26:26-28 28:19 Joh 15:26 Ro 8:16 Heb 6:4 the water: Ac 2:2-4 2Co 1:22 the blood: Heb 13:12 1Pe 3:21 and these: Mk 14:56 Ac 15:15 1 John 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE THREE WITNESSES OF JESUS CHRIST Note: If you use the older version of the NAS (1977), you will find that the new version (1995) shifts the first clause of verse 8 (For there are three that bear witness) to verse 7. Here is the 1977 Version of 1Jn 5:8 "For there are three that bear witness (this clause in bold green is shifted to verse 7 in the 1995 NAS), the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." For discussion of meaning of the water and the blood see (See discussion on 1 John 5:6) The Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement (heis)- His testimony regarding Jesus Christ is discussed in the comments on 1Jn 5:6 (See discussion of how the Spirit testifies). Whereas water and blood were mentioned before the Spirit in 1Jn 5:6, John now mentions the Spirit first. Henry Alford explains that “The Spirit is, of the three, the only living and active witness, properly speaking: besides, the water and the blood are no witnesses without Him, whereas He is independent of them, testifying both in them and out of them.” Glenn Barker adds another reason the Spirit is mentioned first noting that "The Spirit opens eyes and ears to perceive what God is declaring through his proclaimed word.....the Spirit provides what humanity is unable to acquire for itself. This witness of the Spirit accompanies every presentation of the word whether that presentation comes as a personal message or as the apostolic or inscripurated word." (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Edition) The water and the blood - Although not every writer agrees, it seems most reasonable to see these have the same meaning as in John's previous mention in 1Jn 5:6 where he stated that Jesus came "by water and blood." As discussed earlier the water refers to Jesus' baptism marking the inception of His earthly ministry and the blood refers to the crucifixion marking the fulfillment of the redemptive purpose of His earthly ministry. For more discussion of the other interpretative views of water and blood see Steven Cole's note on 1Jn 5:6. THREE WITNESSES: ONE MESSAGE The three are in agreement (heis) - Literally the Greek reads "the three are into the one." The verb (are) is in the present tense signifying the three witnesses are continually of one accord, in perfect agreement that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. As discussed earlier, the validity of personal testimony in the OT was linked to a specific number of credible witnesses, specifically “two or three witnesses” were necessary to establish guilt or innocence on criminal charges (Dt 19:15) and only on this basis could a person be sentenced to death (Dt 17:6). Jesus applied the principle of “two or three witnesses” to his instructions for resolving disputes in his church (Mt 18:15-16). Paul used the standard to determine whether an accusation could be sustained against an elder (1Ti 5:19). In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul sees his thrice repeated testimony alone, whether in person or by letter, as satisfying the requirement of two or three witnesses" (2Cor 13:1-3). The writer of the book of Hebrews alludes to this pattern writing that "Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on [the testimony of] two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Heb 10:28-29+) In this passage the writer points out the "greater testimony" of two witnesses, the Son of God and the Spirit of grace.
1 João 5:9
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son: Greek - ei ten marturian ton anthropon lambanomen (1PPAI) e marturia tou theou meizon estin (3SPAI) hoti aute estin (3SPAI) e marturia tou theou hoti memartureken (3SRAI) peri tou huiou autou: Amplified - If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [if we are willing to take human authority], the testimony of God is greater (of stronger authority), for this is the testimony of God, even the witness which He has borne regarding His Son.
1 João 5:10
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son: Greek - o pisteuon (PAP) eis ton huion tou theou echei (3SPAI) ten marturian en heauto o me pisteuon (PAP) to theo pseusten pepoieken (3SRAI) auton hoti ou pepisteuken (3SRAI) eis ten marturian en memartureken (3SRAI) o theos peri tou huiou autou: Amplified - He who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] has the testimony [possesses this divine attestation] within himself. He who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him out to be and represented Him as a liar, because he has not believed (put his faith in, adhered to, and relied on) the evidence (the testimony) that God has borne regarding His Son.
1 João 5:11
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son: Greek - kai aute estin (3SPAI) e marturia hoti zoen aionion edoken (3SAAI) hemin o theos kai aute e zoe en to huio autou estin (3SPAI):
1 João 5:12
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life: Greek - o echon (PAP) ton huion echei (3SPAI) ten zoen o me echon (PAP) ton huion tou theou ten zoen ouk echei (3SPAI): Amplified - He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.
1 João 5:13
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life: Greek - Tauta egrapha (AAI) humin hina eidete (2PRAS) hoti zoen echete (2PPAI) aionion tois pisteuousin (PAP) eis to onoma tou huiou tou theou: BGT 1 John 5:13 Ταῦτα ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ἵνα εἰδῆτε ὅτι ζωὴν ἔχετε αἰώνιον, τοῖς πιστεύουσιν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ. ESV 1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 João 5:14
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: Greek - kai aute estin (3SPAI) he parrhesia he echomen (1PPAI) pros auton hoti ean ti aitometha (1PPMS) kata to thelema autou akouei (3SPAI) hemon: Amplified - And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. NET And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 João 5:15
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him: Greek - kai ean oidamen (1PRAI) hoti akouei (3SPAI) emon ho ean aitometha (1PPMS) oidamen (1PRAI) hoti echomen (1PPAI) ta aitemata a ethkamen (1PRAI) ap autou: Amplified - And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
1 João 5:16
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this: Greek - Ean tis ide (3SAAS) ton adelphon autou hamartanonta (PAP) hamartian me pros thanaton aitesei (3SFAI) kai dosei (3SFAI) auto zoen tois hamartanousin (PAP) me pros thanaton estin (3SPAI) hamartia pros thanaton ou peri ekeines lego (1SPAI) hina erotese (3SAAS): Amplified - If anyone sees his brother [believer] committing a sin that does not [lead to] death (the extinguishing of life), he will pray and [God] will give him life [yes, He will grant life to all those whose sin is not one leading to death]. There is a sin [that leads] to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. KJV 1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. BGT 1 John 5:16 Ἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν, τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον. ἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον· οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ. NET 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his fellow Christian committing a sin not resulting in death, he should ask, and God will grant life to the person who commits a sin not resulting in death. There is a sin resulting in death. I do not say that he should ask about that. CSB 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not bring death, he should ask, and God will give life to him-- to those who commit sin that doesn't bring death. There is sin that brings death. I am not saying he should pray about that. ESV 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life-- to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. NIV 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. NLT 1 John 5:16 If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. NRS 1 John 5:16 If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one-- to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. NJB 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that is not a deadly sin, he has only to pray, and God will give life to this brother -- provided that it is not a deadly sin. There is sin that leads to death and I am not saying you must pray about that. NAB 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. YLT 1 John 5:16 If any one may see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give to him life to those sinning not unto death; there is sin to death, not concerning it do I speak that he may beseech; MIT 1 John 5:16 If anyone observes his brother committing a sin that is not a mortal sin, he will ask (mercy for him) and God will give him life; this pertains to those whose sin is not mortal. There is a mortal sin. In the case of a mortal sin, I say he should not make a request. GWN 1 John 5:16 If you see another believer committing a sin that doesn't lead to death, you should pray that God would give that person life. This is true for those who commit sins that don't lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I'm not telling you to pray about that. BBE 1 John 5:16 If a man sees his brother doing a sin which is not bad enough for death, let him make a prayer to God, and God will give life to him whose sin was not bad enough for death. There is a sin whose punishment is death: I do not say that he may make such a request then. RSV 1 John 5:16 If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. NKJ 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. ASV 1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request. he shall ask: Ge 20:7,17 Ex 32:10-14,31,32 34:9 Nu 12:13 14:11-21 Dt 9:18-20 2Ch 30:18-20 Job 42:7-9 Ps 106:23 Eze 22:30 Am 7:1-3 Jas 5:14,15 There: Nu 15:30 16:26-32 1Sa 2:25 Jer 15:1,2 Mt 12:31,32 Mk 3:28-30 Lu 12:10 2Ti 4:14 Heb 6:4-6 10:26-31 2Pe 2:20-22 I do not: Jer 7:16 11:14 14:11 18:18-21 John 17:9 1 John 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: James 5:15, 20+ "And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.....15 and "let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins." Acts 5:1+ But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came upon all who heard of it. 1 Corinthians 11:27+ Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord in order that we may not be condemned along with the world. Jeremiah 7:16; “As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you. Jeremiah 11:14 “Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster. Jeremiah 14:11 So the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the welfare of this people. WHAT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO A SINNING BROTHER? Let's take this difficult passage phrase by phrase but do not expect me to give you a dogmatic interpretation! Note that this passage is clearly in the context of prayer and specifically praying with assurance that God will answer when we ask according to His will. If anyone sees (aorist tense, subjunctive - mood of possibility) his brother (adelphos) - If is third class conditional signifying potential action. The verb sees indicates this "anyone" has visual evidence, not hearsay, not gossip, not suspicion. In other words, the guilty sinner is seen committing the sin. So far, so good. The phrase his brother (adelphos) is not so easy. Some favor this is a believing brother. Others say while it may be a believer, it may refer to one who professes faith in Christ. This latter interpretation might then explain why he needs to be given life. That is, this professor needs spiritual life or the new birth. But as discussed below life could have a different sense. John Stott (See his commentary) writes that the term brother could apply "to the false teachers. In John’s view they were not apostates; they were counterfeits. They were not true ‘brothers’ who had received eternal life and subsequently forfeited it. They were ‘antichrists’. Denying the Son, they did not possess the Father (1Jn 2:22–23; 2 John 1:9). They were children of the devil, not children of God (1Jn 3:10). True, they had once been members of the visible congregation and had then no doubt passed as ‘brothers’. But they went out, and by their withdrawal it was made evident that they ‘did not really belong to us’ (1Jn 2:19). Since they rejected the Son, they forfeited life (1Jn 5:12). Their sin did indeed lead to death. Committing a sin (hamartano - present tense + hamartia) not leading to death (thanatos) - Committing a sin in the present tense supports that this is not an isolated incident but a persistent practice. The interpretation however is not easy, because ultimately all sin leads to death in the sense that it is a break in fellowship with God (see Jas 1:14-15+ = "when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death"). Obviously in this scenario, death would not refer to eternal death, and a prayer for this person (assuming he is a true believer) would result in restoration of fellowship is the sinner confesses and repents (cf walk in the light 1Jn 1:7+). He shall ask (aiteo - future tense) - This person interceding is a believer who is called to love his brother (let's assume he is a true believer) by interceding for him. It is interesting John does not say first go to the sinning brother, but go to God in intercessory prayer. Also John does not give a command to pray for the sinner. Clearly if we love our brother, we will be motivated to pray for one who is persistently sinning. And God will for him give life (zoe) - Again, assuming this is a sinning believer, give life would refer to restoration of fellowship with the brother and with God (1Jn 1:7+, 1Jn 1:9+). Note however that there is no guarantee that even though this prayer is in God's will (and did not involve a sin unto death), the sinning brother may not cease committing his sin. His will is still involved in this process. Alfred Plummer addresses this aspect of praying for a sinning brother - "Man's will has been endowed by God with such royal freedom, that not even His will coerces it. Still less, therefore, can a brother's prayer coerce it. If a human will has deliberately and obstinately resisted God, and persists in doing so, we are debarred from our usual certitude (ED: THAT IS THAT GOD WILL GRANT OUR REQUEST). Against a rebel will even the prayer of faith in accordance with God's will (for of course God desires the submission of the rebel) may be offered in vain." To those who commit sin (hamartano - present tense) not leading to death - The sinning brother is not committing the sin described in the next clause, the sin leading to death. Since John does not specify what the sin leading to death is, presumably his readers understood what this phrase referred to. Commentators have offered several interpretations (See Sin Unto Death below) John
1 João 5:17
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death: Greek - pasa adikia hamartia estin (3SPAI) kai estin (3SPAI) hamartia ou pros thanaton: Amplified - All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin which does not [involve] death [that may be repented of and forgiven]. KJV 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. BGT 1 John 5:17 πᾶσα ἀδικία ἁμαρτία ἐστίν, καὶ ἔστιν ἁμαρτία οὐ πρὸς θάνατον. NET 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin not resulting in death. CSB 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that does not bring death. ESV 1 John 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. NIV 1 John 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. NLT 1 John 5:17 All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death. NRS 1 John 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal. NJB 1 John 5:17 Every kind of wickedness is sin, but not all sin leads to death. NAB 1 John 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly. YLT 1 John 5:17 all unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death. MIT 1 John 5:17 All evildoing is sin, and there is sin that is not mortal. GWN 1 John 5:17 Every kind of wrongdoing is sin, yet there are sins that don't lead to death. BBE 1 John 5:17 All evil-doing is sin: but death is not the punishment for every sort of sin. RSV 1 John 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal. NKJ 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. ASV 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. all: 1Jn 3:4 Dt 5:32 12:32 and: 1Jn 5:16 Isa 1:18 Eze 18:26-32 Ro 5:20,21 Jas 1:15 4:7-10 1 John 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 John 3:4+ Everyone who practices (present tense) sin also practices (present tense) lawlessness; and sin is (present tense) lawlessness. A DESCRIPTION OF SIN All unrighteousness (adikia) is (present tense) sin (hamartia), and there is a sin (hamartia) not leading to death (thanatos) - John has just mentioned praying in the will of God which gives one assurance God hears and will answer. Here he is saying that all sin is serious. "The writer inserts this clause over a concern that the distinction between lesser and greater sin implied in the distinction between sin to death and sin not to death might lead some to think some sin was not serious." (Anderson) The implication is that believers should pray for their own sins and sins of their brethren. John’s real concern is to encourage believers to pray for those whose sin “is not to death." -- Daniel Akin NET Note - Here, having implied that sins committed by believers (sins “not to death”) may be prayed for and forgiven, the author does not want to leave the impression that such sin is insignificant, because this could be viewed as a concession to the views of the opponents (who as moral indifferentists have downplayed the significance of sin in the Christian’s life). John Stott agrees that “In distinguishing between sin that leads to death and sin that does not lead to death, he is not meaning to minimize the gravity of sin” (Borrow The Letters of John page 192) David Smith says John is giving "A gentle warning. “Principiis obsta.” Also a reassurance. “You have sinned, but not necessarily ‘unto death’.” Vincent on all unrighteousness - This is the character of every offence against that which is right. Every breach of duty is a manifestation of sin. Compare 1Jn 3:4, where sin is defined as ἀνομία lawlessness, and lawlessness as sin. See Rom. 6:13. Unrighteousness (93)(adikia from a = not + dikê = right) is a condition of not being right, whether with God, according to the standard of His holiness and righteousness or with man, according to the standard of what man knows to be right by his conscience.
1 João 5:18
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him: Greek - Oidamen (1PRAI) hoti pas o gegennemenos (RPPMSN) ek tou theou ouch hamartanei (3SPAI) all o gennetheis (APPMSN) ek tou theou terei (3SPAI) auton kai o poneros ouch haptetai (3SPMI) autou: Amplified - We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. Williams "We know that no one who is born of God makes a practice of sinning, but the Son who was born of God continues to keep him, and the evil one cannot touch him." KJV 1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. BGT 1 John 5:18 Οἴδαμεν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ γεννηθεὶς ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ τηρεῖ αὐτόν καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς οὐχ ἅπτεται αὐτοῦ. NET 1 John 5:18 We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him. CSB 1 John 5:18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the One who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. ESV 1 John 5:18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. NIV 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. NLT 1 John 5:18 We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. NRS 1 John 5:18 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. NJB 1 John 5:18 We are well aware that no one who is a child of God sins, because he who was born from God protects him, and the Evil One has no hold over him. NAB 1 John 5:18 We know that no one begotten by God sins; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the evil one cannot touch him. YLT 1 John 5:18 We have known that every one who hath been begotten of God doth not sin, but he who was begotten of God doth keep himself, and the evil one doth not touch him; MIT 1 John 5:18 We know that all who have been fathered by God do not continue to sin. On the contrary, the God-generated person keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him. GWN 1 John 5:18 We know that those who have been born from God don't go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can't harm them. BBE 1 John 5:18 We are certain that one who is a child of God will do no sin, but the Son of God keeps him so that he is not touched by the Evil One. RSV 1 John 5:18 We know that any one born of God does not sin, but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. NKJ 1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. ASV 1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not. No one: 1Jn 5:1,4 2:29 3:9 4:6 Joh 1:13 3:2-5 Jas 1:18 1Pe 1:23 keeps: 1Jn 5:21 3:3 Ps 17:4 18:23 39:1 119:101 Pr 4:23 Joh 15:4,7,9 Ac 11:23 Jas 1:27 Jude 1:21,24 Rev 2:13 3:8-10 evil 1Jn 2:13,14 3:12 See comments on Born Again in John 3 1 John 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 John 3:4+ Everyone who practices (present tense - continues to live in habitual) sin also practices (present tense - continues to live in habitual) lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:9+ (ABSOLUTELY) No one who is born of God practices (present tense - continues to live in habitual) sin, because (WHY NOT?) His seed (HOLY SPIRIT ENERGIZES HOLY LIVING) abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. John 20:17+ Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging (haptomai) to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” Job 1:11 (SATAN ASKED GOD TO) “put forth Thy hand now and touch (haptomai) all that he has; he will surely curse Thee to Thy face.” 12 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him (clearly to harm him - the Lxx has "do not touch him" translating "do not put forth your hand" with haptomai).” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. John 17:12 (GOD'S PROTECTING HAND ON HIS CHILDREN) “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 1 Peter 1:5 (GOD'S PROTECTING HAND ON HIS CHILDREN) who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 1:24 (GOD'S PROTECTING HAND ON HIS CHILDREN) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, Hebrews 7:25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. We must yield to Christ in order to have victory; but we fight "from" victory as well as "for" victory. -- Warren Wiersbe Jude 1:21+ (NOTE IN 1Jn 5:18 GOD KEEPS US BUT WE MUST STILL KEEP OURSELVES.) keep (tereo - aorist imperative) yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. (SEE Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible) HOW DO WE KNOW THE SAVED ARE SECURE? See multiple articles on Assurance of Salvation We know (eido/oida - perfect tense = fixed as facts - nothing can shake them in our minds) that no one who is born (gennao - perfect tense) of God sins (hamartano - present tense - as a habit of his life) - We know in the perfect tense) a settled intuitive knowledge, knowledge which is divinely imparted. We know this beyond a shadow of a doubt! This is the first of three things we know (1Jn 5:18, 19, 20) in John's concluding remarks. And the first thing we know is that no one who is born of God lives in sin (as their habitual, unremitting practice) If you are repeatedly sinning, not grieved by your sin, not confessing your sin and not repenting of your sin, then you are potentially in dire straits! In 1Jn 5:17+ he has just written that there is a sin not leading to death and he wants to make sure his readers understand that it is never the normal practice for the child of God to sin with continual reckless abandon. This verse is essentially a repetition of his teaching in 1Jn 3:4-10+ summed up with the truth that "No one who is born of God practices (present tense = as their lifestyle) sin“ (1Jn 3:9+). John is not saying a true believer never sins (perfection) (in fact we do = 1Jn 1:8, 10; 1Jn 2:1; 1Jn 5:16), but he is saying that the direction of their life is toward godliness and righteousness. Sins in the present tense speaks of continual, habitual, persistent sinning! While a believer is not sinless, the fact is that he sins less! If he doesn't sin less than there is a serious question as to whether he (or she) has ever truly been born again! The Amplified Version leaves no doubt what John is saying - "We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin." New conduct should always follow new birth! Born in the perfect tense signifies the abiding effect of our new birth. In other words, everyone God has been saved in the past continues to give evidence of that fact in the present (in context they do not habitually keep on sinning). Our new birth is not a passing experience, but a new nature that continues to produce spiritual change in us (cp "we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory" - 2Cor 3:18+, aka "progressive sanctification") Kenneth
1 João 5:19
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one: Greek - oidamen (1PRAI) hoti ek tou theou esmen (1PPAI) kai o kosmos holos en to ponero keitai (3SPMI): Amplified - We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one.
1 João 5:20
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 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. This is the true God and eternal life: Greek - oidamen (1PRAI) de hoti o huios tou theou ekei (3SPAI) kai dedoken (3SRAI) hemin dianoian hina ginoskomen (1PPAS) ton alethinon kai esmen (1PPPAI) en to alethino en to huio autou Iesou Christo houtos estin (3SPAI) o alethinos theos kai zoe aionios: Amplified - And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal.
1 João 5:21
Piper adds that "Insight or understanding is the product of intensive, headache-producing meditation on two or three verses and how they fit together. This kind of reflection and rumination is provoked by asking questions of the text. And you cannot do it if you hurry. Therefore, we must resist the deceptive urge to carve notches in our bibliographic gun. Take two hours to ask ten questions of Galatians 2:20+ and you will gain one hundred times the insight you would have attained by reading thirty pages of the New Testament or any other book. Slow down. Query. Ponder. Chew.... (John Dewey rightly said) "People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.” “Asking questions is the key to understanding.” --Jonathan Edwards That said, below are the 5W/H questions for each verse in this chapter (click page to enlarge). This is not neatly typed but is handwritten and was used for leading a class discussion on this chapter, so you are welcome to use it in this "as is" condition... 1 John 5:21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols: Greek - Teknia phulaxate (2PAAM) heauta eidolon: Amplified - Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)—[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).