1 John
Summary
John concludes his first epistle by emphasizing that "everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." He describes the victory that overcomes the world: our faith. The author points to the three-fold witness, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, which testify to the Son of God. John provides the absolute assurance that those who have the Son have life, and those who do not have the Son do not have life. He concludes with practical advice on prayer for erring brothers and a final, sharp warning to "keep yourselves from idols."
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every person who loves Him who brought forth loves him also who is born of Him.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is He who came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
If we receive the witness of people, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he who believes not God has made Him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of His Son.
And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has life; and he who has not the Son of God has not life.
These things have I written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us:
And if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
If any person see his brother sin a sin which is not to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for those who sin not to death. There is a sin to death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not to death.
We know that whoever is born of God sins not; but he who is born of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.