1 John 5:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

I. The apostle having, in the conclusion of the last chapter, as was there observed, urged Christian love upon those two accounts, as suitable to Christian profession and as suitable to the divine command, here adds a third: Such love is suitable, and indeed demanded, by their eminent relation; our Christian brethren or fellow-believers are nearly related to God; they are his children: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, 1 John 5:1. Here the Christian brother is, 1.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 5:3-4

5:3-4a For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments; and his commandments are not heavy, because everything that is born of God conquers the world. John reverts to an idea which is never far from the surface of his mind. Obedience is the only proof of love. We cannot prove our love to anyone other than by seeking to please him and bring him joy. Then John quite suddenly says a most surprising thing. God's commandments, he says, are not heavy. We must note two general... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 5:4

5:4b-5 And this is the conquest which has conquered the world, our faith. Who is he who conquers the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (iii) We have seen that the commandments of Jesus Christ are not grievous because with the commandment there comes the power and because we accept them in love. But there is another great truth. There is something in the Christian which makes him able to conquer the world. The kosmos ( Greek #2889 ) is the world apart from God and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God ,.... Which may be understood either of persons born; of God; or of the new creature, or principle of grace wrought in them, particularly faith hereafter mentioned, which is an heaven born grace, the gift of God, and the operation of his Spirit: this overcometh the world ; the god of the world, Satan; the lusts which are in the world; false prophets gone forth into the world; and the wicked men of the world, who by temptations, snares, evil doctrines,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:4

Whatsoever is born of God - Παν το γεγεννημενον· Whatsoever (the neuter for the masculine) is begotten of God: overcometh the world. "I understand by this," says Schoettgen, "the Jewish Church, or Judaism, which is often termed הזה עולם olam hazzeh , this world. The reasons which induce me to think so are, Because this κοσμος , world, denied that the Messiah was come; but the Gentiles did not oppose this principle. Because he proves the truth of the Christian religion against... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:4

Verse 4 4This is the victory As he had said that all who are born of God overcome the world, he also sets forth the way of overcoming it. For it might be still asked, whence comes this victory? He then makes the victory over the world to depend on faith. (93) This passage is remarkable, for though Satan continually repeats his dreadful and horrible onsets, yet the Spirit of God, declaring that we are beyond the reach of danger, removes fear, and animates us to fight with courage. And the past... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

The victory of faith. Connecting link: The preceding chapter closed with a statement of the two-foldness of love, showing us that love of our brother must follow our love to God, and is, in fact, the commanded and the only outward expression thereof. But, so far, at any rate, as our redeemed brethren in Christ are concerned, they being believers in Christ have been begotten of God. Consequently they are members of one family with us. And every one who loves the Father will, as a matter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-12

Faith is the source of love. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-12

Faith and the Divine testimony. I. FAITH . 1 . A common faith with a common life is the foundation of brotherly love. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." A general aspect is given to the truth. Given a person who (according to what John has formerly taught) believes that Jesus is the Christ, it can be said of him that he is begetter, of God, i.e., is the subject of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:4

Reason for the preceding statement: the opposition which causes the difficulty is already overcome. Nothing, however, is gained by transferring the full stop from the end of 1 John 5:3 to the middle of 1 John 5:4 , any more than from the end of 1 John 5:2 to the middle of 1 John 5:3 . The punctuation of the Authorized Version and the Revised Version is to be preferred. It is the world that hinders obedience to God's commandments and makes them seem grievous. But everywhere God's... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 5:3-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 5:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 5:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:4

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