1 John 4:15

Authorized King James Version

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὃς
Whosoever
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#2
ἂν
whatsoever
#3
ὁμολογήσῃ
shall confess
to assent, i.e., covenant, acknowledge
#4
ὅτι
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#5
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#6
ἐστιν
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#7
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
υἱὸς
the Son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#9
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
Θεῷ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
Θεῷ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#13
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#14
αὐτὸς
he
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#15
μένει
dwelleth
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
#16
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
αὐτὸς
he
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#18
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#19
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
Θεῷ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 John. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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