1 John 5:4-5 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

John Gill

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

Who is he that overcometh the world ,.... This question carries in it a strong affirmation, that no other person is the conqueror of the world: but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God ? and this points out what that faith is which obtains the victory over the world; and shows that it is not that trust and confidence which has a man's self, or any mere creature, thing, or person, for its object, but only Jesus Christ, and that as he is the Son of God; and which is not a mere... 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

Adam Clarke

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

He that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? - That he is the promised Messiah, that he came by a supernatural generation; and, although truly man, came not by man, but by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The person who believes this has the privilege of applying to the Lord for the benefits of the incarnation and passion of Jesus Christ, and receives the blessings which the Jews cannot have, because they believe not the Divine mission of Christ. 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

John Calvin

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

Verse 5 5Who is he that overcometh the world This is a reason for the previous sentence; that is, we conquer by faith, because we derive strength from Christ; as Paul also says, “I can do all things through him that strengtheneth me,” (Philippians 4:13.) He only then can conquer Satan and the world, and not succumb to his own flesh, who, diffident as to himself, recumbs on Christ’s power alone. For byfaith he means a real apprehension of Christ, or an effectual laying hold on him, by which... 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

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