King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:10 Mean?

1 John 5:10 in the King James Version says “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because... — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 John 5:10 · KJV


Context

8

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9

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.

10

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.

11

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What internal witness (Spirit's testimony) do you experience confirming the truth of God's testimony about Christ?
  2. How does understanding that unbelief effectively calls God a liar change your view of those who reject the gospel?
  3. In what areas might you be inconsistently believing some of God's testimony while doubting other parts, and how should this verse challenge that?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
1 of 34
G3588

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

πεπίστευκεν2 of 34

He that 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

εἰς3 of 34

on

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸν4 of 34
G3588

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

υἱοῦ5 of 34

Son

G5207

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

τοῦ6 of 34
G3588

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

Θεὸς7 of 34

God

G2316

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

ἔχει8 of 34

hath

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τὴν9 of 34
G3588

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

μαρτυρίαν10 of 34

the record

G3141

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

ἐν11 of 34

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἑαυτῷ12 of 34

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

13 of 34
G3588

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

μὴ14 of 34

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πεπίστευκεν15 of 34

He that 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

τῷ16 of 34
G3588

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

Θεὸς17 of 34

God

G2316

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

ψεύστην18 of 34

a liar

G5583

a falsifier

πεποίηκεν19 of 34

hath made

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

αὐτοῦ20 of 34

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

ὅτι21 of 34

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐ22 of 34

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

πεπίστευκεν23 of 34

He that 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

εἰς24 of 34

on

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν25 of 34
G3588

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

μαρτυρίαν26 of 34

the record

G3141

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

ἣν27 of 34

that

G3739

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

μεμαρτύρηκεν28 of 34

gave

G3140

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

29 of 34
G3588

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

Θεὸς30 of 34

God

G2316

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

περὶ31 of 34

of

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

τοῦ32 of 34
G3588

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

υἱοῦ33 of 34

Son

G5207

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

αὐτοῦ34 of 34

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 5:10 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 5:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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