1 John 5:9

Authorized King James Version

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

Word-by-Word Analysis

εἰ

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαρτυρία

G3141

the witness

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπων

G444

of men

man-faced, i.e., a human being

λαμβάνομεν

G2983

we receive

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἡ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαρτυρία

G3141

the witness

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#10

Θεοῦ

G2316

of God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#11

μείζων

G3187

greater

larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age)

#12

ἐστὶν

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

#13

ὅτι

G3754

for

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#14

αὕτη

G3778

this

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

#15

ἐστὶν

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

#16

ἡ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

μαρτυρία

G3141

the witness

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

#18

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#19

Θεοῦ

G2316

of God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#20

ἣν

G3739

which

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#21

μεμαρτύρηκεν

G3140

he hath testified

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

#22

περὶ

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

#23

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#24

υἱοῦ

G5207

Son

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

#25

αὐτοῦ

G846

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

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 John chapter 5 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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