1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Original Language Analysis
οἴδαμεν
we know
G1492
οἴδαμεν
we know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 36
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 36
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῷ
Son
G5207
υἱῷ
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
5 of 36
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεός,
God
G2316
Θεός,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 36
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἥκει
is come
G2240
ἥκει
is come
Strong's:
G2240
Word #:
8 of 36
to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δέδωκεν
hath given
G1325
δέδωκεν
hath given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
10 of 36
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
διάνοιαν
an understanding
G1271
διάνοιαν
an understanding
Strong's:
G1271
Word #:
12 of 36
deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise
γινώσκωμεν
we may know
G1097
γινώσκωμεν
we may know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
14 of 36
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῷ
Son
G5207
υἱῷ
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
24 of 36
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 36
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
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
26 of 36
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
οὗτός
This
G3778
οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
28 of 36
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεός,
God
G2316
Θεός,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
32 of 36
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.Luke 24:45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,John 14:9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.1 John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.1 John 4:16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.John 20:28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.Revelation 3:7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Historical Context
This verse is crucial for establishing Christ's deity against Arian and modern denials. "This is the true God, and eternal life" identifies Jesus Christ as ho alēthinos theos—the true God. John's Gospel prologue similarly affirms "the Word was God" (John 1:1) and Thomas's confession "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). The early church's Christology developed from such clear biblical affirmations of Christ's full deity alongside His true humanity.
The phrase "we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ" establishes union with Christ as the means of relationship with God. No one comes to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6). This exclusive mediation through Christ challenged Jewish expectations of direct covenantal relationship and Gentile philosophical speculation about accessing the divine through reason or mysticism. Christianity maintains that knowing God and possessing life come exclusively through Jesus Christ, who is Himself the true God and eternal life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's giving you understanding enable you to know God truly, which was impossible before His coming?
- What does it mean practically that you 'are in Him that is true' through union with Jesus Christ?
- How does this clear affirmation that Jesus Christ 'is the true God and eternal life' affect your worship and confidence in salvation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. John concludes with Christological affirmation. "And we know that the Son of God is come" (oidamen de hoti ho huios tou theou hēkei)—the perfect tense emphasizes Christ came and remains, referring to the incarnation's permanent effects. This is certain knowledge (oida), not speculation—the Son of God truly came in history.
"And hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true" (kai dedōken hēmin dianoian hina ginōskōmen ton alēthinon). Dianoia (διάνοια) means understanding, mind, or perception. Christ has given believers capacity to know God truly. "Him that is true" (ton alēthinon) is God the Father, the true God as opposed to false gods. This knowledge is Christ's gift, enabling what was previously impossible—fallen humanity couldn't know God, but Christ's revelation and the Spirit's illumination enable true knowledge.
"And we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (kai esmen en tō alēthinō en tō huiō autou Iēsou Christō houtos estin ho alēthinos theos kai zōē aiōnios). Believers are in God through union with Christ. The final clause "This is the true God, and eternal life" likely refers to Jesus Christ (nearest antecedent), explicitly affirming His deity and identifying Him with eternal life (John 1:1, 14:6). Christ is the true God incarnate and is Himself eternal life. This concluding Christological confession grounds all previous teaching—we know God, possess life, and overcome the world through Jesus Christ, who is true God and eternal life.