What does 1 John 5:20 mean?

Explanation

1 John 5:20 is a verse in the New Testament of the Christian Bible that deals with the nature of Jesus Christ and the understanding that believers have about God through Him.

The verse emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He has come to provide a spiritual insight or understanding.

This understanding allows believers to know God, who is described as "the true one." The phrase "we are in Him who is true" expresses the intimate relationship between the believer, God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Lastly, the verse seems to conflate Jesus Christ with God, calling Jesus "the true God, and eternal life." This suggests a unity of Jesus with God and underlines the Christian belief in the deity of Christ.

Historical Context

The First Epistle of John, traditionally ascribed to John the Apostle, is believed to have been written between 85-95 A.D.

The epistle addresses various challenges in the early Christian community, including the spread of false teachings and heresies such as Gnosticism.

Gnostics claimed to have a special, secret knowledge and often denied the full humanity or divinity of Jesus.

The letter was written to reassure believers about the truth of the incarnation of Jesus and to encourage them to love one another.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret this verse in various ways.

The Trinitarian Christian perspective, which is the mainstream theological viewpoint, sees this verse as affirming that Jesus is both God and the source of eternal life.

A Unitarian perspective, however, may argue that "the true God" refers to the Father alone and that Jesus is His Son, distinct from the Father.

Some may also interpret "the true God, and eternal life" to refer to the knowledge and relationship provided by Jesus, not necessarily suggesting that Jesus himself is the true God.

Practical Applications

1 John 5:20 can encourage believers to seek a deeper understanding and relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

It suggests that one's faith in Christ is not simply a matter of intellectual assent but involves a transformational knowledge that enables believers to live in communion with the true God.

This guidance can lead to practical applications such as studying scripture, prayer, and living out one's faith through acts of love and service.

Cross-References

• John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
• John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."
• John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Language Study

• "understanding" (Greek: διάνοια, dianoia) - Implies the faculty of thinking, comprehension, or intellect.
• "true" (Greek: ἀληθινός, alēthinos) - Meaning genuine, not false or counterfeit; often used to distinguish that which is God-realized from mere representations.
• "eternal life" (Greek: ζωὴ αἰώνιος, zōē aiōnios) - This term does not simply refer to longevity but to quality of life, a life that is divine and given by God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the cultural milieu of early Christianity, there were several religious and philosophical systems that emphasized knowledge or enlightenment, such as Gnosticism and Neo-Platonism.

These sometimes claimed access to secret or special wisdom. 1 John 5:20 offers a contrasting view in which true knowledge of God is seen as openly provided through Jesus Christ, and is not esoteric.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the concept of "eternal life" can be seen metaphorically rather than literally. Eternal life in the sense of an ongoing existence after physical death is a subject of religious belief and not scientific evidence.

However, many scientists and psychologists might engage with the idea of a fulfilling life or wellbeing as an area of study that could run parallel to some of the spiritual themes of the verse.

commentaries

Commentators over the centuries have given varied insights into 1 John 5:20:

• Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary emphasizes that through Christ we have a clear knowledge of God, which leads to eternal life.
• The Pulpit Commentary highlights the relationship between knowledge and life, positing that true knowledge necessarily results in eternal life.
• John Calvin's Commentary points to Christ revealing God to us and that in knowing Christ, we possess the whole heavenly doctrine that leads to the right rule of life.

Each commentator engages with the text from the standpoint of Christian orthodoxy, though there are nuances in their interpretations of the relationship between Jesus and God and the meaning of eternal life.