1 John 5:10

Authorized King James Version

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
πεπίστευκεν
He that believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#3
εἰς
on
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#4
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
υἱοῦ
Son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#6
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
Θεὸς
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#8
ἔχει
hath
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#9
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
μαρτυρίαν
the record
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
#11
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#12
ἑαυτῷ
himself
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
μὴ
not
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#15
πεπίστευκεν
He that believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#16
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
Θεὸς
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#18
ψεύστην
a liar
a falsifier
#19
πεποίηκεν
hath made
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#20
αὐτοῦ
him
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
#21
ὅτι
because
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#22
οὐ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#23
πεπίστευκεν
He that believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#24
εἰς
on
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#25
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#26
μαρτυρίαν
the record
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
#27
ἣν
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#28
μεμαρτύρηκεν
gave
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
#29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#30
Θεὸς
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#31
περὶ
of
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
#32
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#33
υἱοῦ
Son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#34
αὐτοῦ
him
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

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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