1 John 5:10

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεπίστευκεν He that believeth G4100
πεπίστευκεν He that believeth
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 2 of 34
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
εἰς on G1519
εἰς on
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 3 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ Son G5207
υἱοῦ Son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 5 of 34
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 7 of 34
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἔχει hath G2192
ἔχει hath
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 8 of 34
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτυρίαν the record G3141
μαρτυρίαν the record
Strong's: G3141
Word #: 10 of 34
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 11 of 34
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἑαυτῷ himself G1438
ἑαυτῷ himself
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 12 of 34
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 14 of 34
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πεπίστευκεν He that believeth G4100
πεπίστευκεν He that believeth
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 15 of 34
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
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 17 of 34
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ψεύστην a liar G5583
ψεύστην a liar
Strong's: G5583
Word #: 18 of 34
a falsifier
πεποίηκεν hath made G4160
πεποίηκεν hath made
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 19 of 34
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 20 of 34
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
ὅτι because G3754
ὅτι because
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 21 of 34
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 22 of 34
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
πεπίστευκεν He that believeth G4100
πεπίστευκεν He that believeth
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 23 of 34
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
εἰς on G1519
εἰς on
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 24 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτυρίαν the record G3141
μαρτυρίαν the record
Strong's: G3141
Word #: 26 of 34
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
ἣν that G3739
ἣν that
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 27 of 34
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μεμαρτύρηκεν gave G3140
μεμαρτύρηκεν gave
Strong's: G3140
Word #: 28 of 34
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 29 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 30 of 34
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
περὶ of G4012
περὶ of
Strong's: G4012
Word #: 31 of 34
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 32 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ Son G5207
υἱοῦ Son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 33 of 34
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 34 of 34
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 & Commentary

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. John presents two responses to God's testimony. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself" (ho pisteuōn eis ton huion tou theou echei tēn martyrian en heautō)—the believer possesses internal witness. This likely refers to the Spirit's testimony (Romans 8:16), subjective assurance accompanying objective faith. The present tense indicates ongoing possession—believers continuously have this internal witness confirming truth.

"He that believeth not God hath made him a liar" (ho mē pisteuōn tō theō pseustēn pepoiēken auton). The perfect tense indicates completed action with continuing result—the unbeliever has made and continues making God a liar. This is staggering accusation—rejecting God's testimony about Christ effectively charges God with falsehood. We cannot neutrally disbelieve; we either accept God as truthful or implicitly call Him liar. There's no middle ground.

"Because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son" (hoti ou pepisteuken eis tēn martyrian hēn memartyrēken ho theos peri tou huiou autou). The cause of making God a liar is refusing to believe His testimony about Christ. God has clearly testified that Jesus is His Son, the Savior; rejecting this testimony rejects God Himself. This underscores unbelief's seriousness—it's not mere intellectual disagreement but moral rebellion calling God a liar. Conversely, faith honors God by accepting His testimony as true.

Historical Context

The accusation of making God a liar would have shocked first-century Jews who revered God's truthfulness. The Shema confessed God as one and true (Deuteronomy 6:4). To suggest anyone could make God a liar seemed blasphemous. Yet John insists this is precisely what unbelief does—it contradicts God's clear testimony about Christ, effectively denying His truthfulness.

This principle applies to all biblical revelation. When people reject scriptural teaching, they're not merely disagreeing with human authors but with God who inspired Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). The Reformation emphasis on Scripture's authority rested on this foundation—rejecting biblical teaching rejects God. Conversely, believing God's testimony honors Him and provides assurance through the Spirit's internal witness.

Questions for Reflection

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