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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 John 5:1 - 5:1
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That Jesus is the Christ (hoti Iēsous estin ho Christos). The Cerinthian antichrist denies the identity of Jesus and Christ (1Jo 2:22). Hence John insists on this form of faith (pisteuōn here in the full sense, stronger than in 1Jo 3:23; 1Jo 4:16, seen also in pistis in 1Jo 5:4, where English and Latin fall down in having to use another word for the verb) as he does in 1Jo 5:5 and in accord with the purpose of John’s Gospel (Joh 20:31). Nothing less will satisfy John, not merely intellectual conviction, but full surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. “The Divine Begetting is the antecedent, not the consequent of the believing” (Law). For “is begotten of God” (ek tou theou gegennētai) see 1Jo 2:29; 1Jo 3:9; 1Jo 4:7; 1Jo 5:4, 1Jo 5:18. John appeals here to family relationship and family love.
Him that begat (ton gennēsanta). First aorist active articular participle of gennaō, to beget, the Father (our heavenly Father).
Him also that is begotten of him (ton gegennēmenon ex autou). Perfect passive articular participle of gennaō, the brother or sister by the same father. So then we prove our love for the common Father by our conduct towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.