What does 1 John 5:6 mean?

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. 1 John 5:6

Explanation

1 John 5:6 refers to the affirmation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, emphasizing the testimony of his divinity through both water and blood. The water likely denotes Jesus’s baptism, and the blood refers to his crucifixion. This contrast addresses a heretical belief of that time known as Docetism, which denied the full humanity of Jesus, suggesting he was a spiritual being that only seemed to have a body. Thus, the verse underscores the incarnation: Jesus came as a fully human being who experienced both baptism and death. Furthermore, “the Spirit that beareth witness” indicates the Holy Spirit’s role in affirming Jesus’s identity. The words “because the Spirit is truth” underline the Holy Spirit as the source of divine truth, bearing witness to the veracity of Jesus’s mission and nature.

Historical Context

1 John is one of the Johannine epistles, traditionally believed to have been written by John the Apostle. Scholars generally date the epistle to the late first century, when early Christian communities were dealing with internal divisions and heretical teachings. One such heresy was Docetism, which the author of 1 John addresses directly. This verse, in particular, is thought to be countering those who rejected the physical aspects of Jesus’s ministry and his human sufferings. Therefore, the historical setting is one of doctrinal clarification and the strengthening of orthodox Christian beliefs against emerging heresies.

Theological Insights

The theological implications of this verse are multi-faceted. From an orthodox Christian viewpoint, the mention of water and blood is symbolic of Jesus’s humanity and divinity, emphasizing the two natures of Christ in hypostatic union. Some theologians also see a connection to the sacraments, with water symbolizing baptism and blood the Eucharist. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit’s role as the witness to the truth is a nod to the Trinitarian doctrine, showing the unified work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the salvation narrative. Additionally, the phrase “the Spirit is truth” resonates with Johannine theology, which often highlights the concept of truth in its spiritual and divine context.

Practical Applications

This verse motivates believers to acknowledge and testify to the full nature of Christ, both human and divine, which is foundational to the Christian faith. It also encourages adherents to rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment and affirmation of truth. In daily practice, Christians can look to this verse as a reminder to embrace and live out their faith authentically, reflecting on the significance of baptism and the importance of the Eucharist (for those traditions that celebrate it). It also calls believers to be witnesses of their faith, testifying to Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection as central to salvation.

Cross-References

• John 19:34-35: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he beareth record that what he saith is true.”
• Acts 5:32: “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”
• John 15:26: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

Language Study

Key terms in the original Greek language of this verse include:

• “Water” (Greek: ὕδωρ, hydōr): Often used symbolically in Scripture for purification or life-giving forces.
• “Blood” (Greek: αἷμα, haima): Commonly signifies life (as in Leviticus 17:11) or, in the context of the New Testament, sacrificial death and atonement.
• “Bearth witness” (Greek: μαρτυρέω, martyreo): To testify or bear record, with legal and historical connotations of providing evidence or testimony.
• “Spirit” (Greek: πνεῦμα, pneuma): Refers to the Holy Spirit or Spirit of God, also used to convey breath or wind as a symbol of life.
• “Truth” (Greek: ἀλήθεια, alētheia): Signifies the highest form of reality and reliability, often contrasted with falsehood and deceit in Scripture.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse has no direct counterparts in ancient myths, but the concept of a divine being coming in flesh can be loosely compared to some mythological gods taking human form. However, unlike the temporary and often deceptive appearances of gods in mythology, Christian theology asserts that Jesus’s incarnation was a profound and genuine embodiment of both the divine and human. Other religions may offer differing views on the relationship between the spiritual and material realms, with Christianity uniquely underscoring the moral and spiritual significance of Jesus’s humanity and sacrificial death.

Scientific Perspectives

The mention of “water and blood” may evoke interest in the physiological aspects of Christ’s crucifixion from a modern scientific perspective. The outpouring of water and blood from Jesus’s side, as reported in the Gospel of John, has been examined by medical professionals for its anatomical accuracy, suggesting a possible accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lungs or around the heart (pericardial effusion), which would have been released upon piercing. While these discussions do not necessarily provide direct insight into the theological meanings of 1 John 5:6, they can bridge the gap between historical events and current scientific understanding of anatomy and crucifixion.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and commentators offer insights into this verse. Among them, Matthew Henry comments on the dual testimony of water and blood as representing the purifying and justifying effects of Christ’s work. John Wesley suggests that the blood and the water which flowed from Jesus’s side were emblematic of the sacraments that testify to God’s grace. More contemporary scholars like I. Howard Marshall interpret the Spirit’s witness as an eternal truth that reinforces the confession of Jesus’s divine sonship. These perspectives often align in viewing 1 John 5:6 as pivotal for establishing the humanity and divinity of Jesus, the sacramental life in the church, and the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing divine truth.