Robertson Word Pictures - 1 John 5:20 - 5:20

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Robertson Word Pictures - 1 John 5:20 - 5:20


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Is come (hēkei). Present active indicative, but the root has a perfect sense, “has come.” See exēlthon kai hēkō in Joh 8:42.

An understanding (dianoian). Here alone in John’s writings, but in Paul (Eph 4:18) and Peter (1Pe 1:13). John does not use gnōsis (knowledge) and nous (mind) only in Rev 13:18; Rev 17:9.

That we know (hina ginōskomen). Result clause with hina and the present active indicative, as is common with hina and the future indicative (Joh 7:3). It is possible that here o was pronounced ō as a subjunctive, but many old MSS. have hina ginōskousin (plainly indicative) in Joh 17:3, and in many other places in the N.T. the present indicative with hina occurs as a variant reading as in Joh 5:20.

Him that is true (ton alēthinon). That is, God. Cf. 1Jo 1:8.

In him that is true (en tōi alēthinōi). In God in contrast with the world “in the evil one” (1Jo 5:19). See Joh 17:3.

Even in his Son Jesus Christ (en tōi huiōi autou Iēsou Christōi). The autou refers clearly to en tōi alēthinōi (God). Hence this clause is not in apposition with the preceding, but an explanation as to how we are “in the True One” by being “in his Son Jesus Christ.”

This (houtos). Grammatically houtos may refer to Jesus Christ or to “the True One.” It is a bit tautological to refer it to God, but that is probably correct, God in Christ, at any rate. God is eternal life (Joh 5:26) and he gives it to us through Christ.