Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. John provides another test for assurance—confession of Christ. "Whosoever shall confess" (hos ean homologēsē)—homologeō means to confess, acknowledge, declare openly. This is public profession, not private belief only. True faith confesses Christ openly (Romans 10:9-10). The aorist tense suggests definite confession, though the context implies ongoing confession throughout life.
"That Jesus is the Son of God" (hoti Iēsous estin ho huios tou theou)—this confession affirms Jesus's divine nature. "Son of God" indicates unique relationship to the Father, sharing divine nature and equality with God (John 5:18). This confession distinguishes Christianity from all other religions—Jesus is not merely a prophet, teacher, or good man but God's Son, second person of the Trinity, incarnate deity. Confessing this truth requires more than intellectual assent; it involves trust in Christ for salvation and submission to His lordship.
"God dwelleth in him, and he in God" (ho theos en autō menei kai autos en tō theō)—the mutual indwelling again. Those who genuinely confess Christ's deity demonstrate God's indwelling and their abiding in God. This confession is both evidence of salvation and result of salvation. The Spirit enables confession (1 Corinthians 12:3); confession evidences the Spirit's presence. False professors may mouth words, but genuine confession from the heart proves regeneration.
Historical Context
Confessing Jesus as God's Son was costly in the Roman Empire. Emperor worship demanded acknowledgment of Caesar as lord and god. Christians who confessed "Jesus is Lord" and "Son of God" faced persecution, even death. Pliny's letter to Trajan described testing Christians by forcing them to curse Christ and worship Caesar's image—genuine Christians refused, demonstrating their confession's reality.
The confession's content—"Jesus is the Son of God"—directly challenged Jewish monotheistic assumptions without abandoning monotheism. Jesus's claims to be God's Son led to crucifixion charges of blasphemy (John 19:7). The early church's confession that Jesus shares divine nature while maintaining one God developed into Trinitarian doctrine formalized at Nicaea. John's simple confession contains profound theological truth central to Christian orthodoxy.
Questions for Reflection
What does genuinely confessing 'Jesus is the Son of God' require beyond merely speaking the words?
How does your public confession of Christ's deity demonstrate (or fail to demonstrate) that God dwells in you?
In what contemporary contexts does confessing Jesus as God's Son require courage and risk, and are you willing to confess Him there?
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Analysis & Commentary
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. John provides another test for assurance—confession of Christ. "Whosoever shall confess" (hos ean homologēsē)—homologeō means to confess, acknowledge, declare openly. This is public profession, not private belief only. True faith confesses Christ openly (Romans 10:9-10). The aorist tense suggests definite confession, though the context implies ongoing confession throughout life.
"That Jesus is the Son of God" (hoti Iēsous estin ho huios tou theou)—this confession affirms Jesus's divine nature. "Son of God" indicates unique relationship to the Father, sharing divine nature and equality with God (John 5:18). This confession distinguishes Christianity from all other religions—Jesus is not merely a prophet, teacher, or good man but God's Son, second person of the Trinity, incarnate deity. Confessing this truth requires more than intellectual assent; it involves trust in Christ for salvation and submission to His lordship.
"God dwelleth in him, and he in God" (ho theos en autō menei kai autos en tō theō)—the mutual indwelling again. Those who genuinely confess Christ's deity demonstrate God's indwelling and their abiding in God. This confession is both evidence of salvation and result of salvation. The Spirit enables confession (1 Corinthians 12:3); confession evidences the Spirit's presence. False professors may mouth words, but genuine confession from the heart proves regeneration.