King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:1 Mean?

1 John 5:1 in the King James Version says “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also th...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Whosoever 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 5:1 · KJV

FaithSalvation

Context

1

Whosoever 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.

2

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whosoever 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. John connects faith, regeneration, and love. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ" (pas ho pisteuōn hoti Iēsous estin ho Christos)—pisteuōn (present participle) indicates ongoing, habitual faith. "Jesus is the Christ" confesses that the historical Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, God's anointed Savior. This faith's content matters—not generic belief but specific trust in Jesus as the Christ.

"Is born of God" (ek tou theou gegennētai)—the perfect tense indicates completed regeneration with continuing state. Those who genuinely believe demonstrate they have been born of God. This raises the classic question of order: does faith produce regeneration or regeneration produce faith? Reformed theology maintains that regeneration precedes and enables faith—God births us, enabling us to believe. However, from our experiential perspective, faith evidences regeneration. We don't see the new birth directly but recognize it by faith's presence.

"And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him" (kai pas ho agapōn ton gennēsanta agapa kai ton gegennēmenon ex autou). Loving God the Father who begat necessarily involves loving fellow believers who are begotten of Him. This continues chapter 4's theme—love for God and love for God's children are inseparable. We cannot claim to love the Father while despising His children. Family love is inevitable among those sharing the same heavenly Father.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The confession "Jesus is the Christ" was central to early Christian proclamation. Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:16) and John's gospel purpose (John 20:31) emphasize this truth. For Jews, acknowledging Jesus as Messiah meant accepting that the promised deliverer had come in unexpected form—not conquering king but suffering servant. For Gentiles, it meant recognizing Jesus's unique divine appointment.

The metaphor of being "born of God" appears throughout John's writings (John 1:12-13, 3:3-8). This wasn't standard Jewish terminology, which emphasized covenant membership through physical descent from Abraham. Jesus and John revolutionized this—spiritual birth, not physical lineage, determines God's family membership. This birth is supernatural (John 3:8), sovereign (John 1:13), and evidenced by faith and love. The Reformation recovered this truth against works-righteousness—salvation is by grace through new birth, not human achievement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your ongoing faith in Jesus as the Christ provide evidence that you have been born of God?
  2. What's the logical connection between loving God the Father and necessarily loving His children, your fellow believers?
  3. If genuine faith in Christ results from being born of God, how does this affect your evangelism and your understanding of conversion?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
πᾶς1 of 24

“Whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ2 of 24
G3588

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

πιστεύων3 of 24

“believeth”

G4100

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

ὅτι4 of 24

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἰησοῦς5 of 24

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἐστιν6 of 24

“is”

G2076

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

ὁ7 of 24
G3588

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

Χριστὸς8 of 24

“the Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐξ9 of 24

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ10 of 24
G3588

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

Θεοῦ11 of 24

“God”

G2316

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

γεγεννημένον12 of 24

“him that begat”

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

καὶ13 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πᾶς14 of 24

“Whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ15 of 24
G3588

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

ἀγαπᾷ16 of 24

“loveth”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὸν17 of 24
G3588

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

γεγεννημένον18 of 24

“him that begat”

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

ἀγαπᾷ19 of 24

“loveth”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

καὶ20 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν21 of 24
G3588

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

γεγεννημένον22 of 24

“him that begat”

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

ἐξ23 of 24

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτοῦ24 of 24

“him”

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 5:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 5:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 1:12-13John 8:421 John 2:291 John 4:71 Peter 1:22-231 John 5:4

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 John 5 with CommentaryAll 1 John ChaptersComplete 1 John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes