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1Jn_5:13. Many commentators (Lorinus, Spener, Bengel, Rickli, Baumgarten-Crusius, Lücke, Sander, Düsterdieck, Braune) make the conclusion of the Epistle begin with this verse (“a sort of concluding section,” Ebrard), referring ταῦτα to the whole Epistle. This, however, is incorrect. That this verse also belongs to the last leading section beginning at 1Jn_3:23, is shown not only by the idea ζωὴν αἰώνιον , which refers to what immediately precedes, but also by the idea πιστεύειν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ , which refers back to 1Jn_3:23; besides, it is to be observed that the following sentences, 1Jn_5:14-15, correspond to the thought with which the preceding leading section ended; comp. 1Jn_3:21-22. Accordingly, ταῦτα is not to be referred to the whole Epistle, but to the last section, 1Jn_5:6-12 (Brückner), which reaches its climax in the thought: ὁ ἔχων τὸν υἱὸν ἔχει τὴν ζωήν ; comp. 1Jn_2:1; 1Jn_2:21; 1Jn_2:26. In the words: ἵνα εἰδῆτε , ὅτι ζωὴν ἔχετε αἰώνιον , John states the object for which he wrote that which is contained in the foregoing. The certainty of the life which is bestowed on him is so much the more necessary to the Christian’s mind, as this is sometimes hidden from him in the struggles of life—the life is there, but at times like a hidden treasure. That the possession of this life, however, is conditioned by faith, the apostle brings out especially by an additional clause, which indeed runs differently in the different codices (see the critical remarks), but in its different forms expresses essentially the same thought; according to the probable reading, it is connected with ὑμῖν ; according to A, however, with ἔχετε . The second clause in the Rec: καὶ ἵνα πιστεύητε εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ , indicates as the second object the adherence to faith; with the phrase: πιστεύειν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα , comp. chap. 1Jn_3:23.