King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:13 Mean?

1 John 5:13 in the King James Version says “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal l...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

1 John 5:13 · KJV

FaithEternal Life

Context

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.

13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: in: or, concerning him

15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. John states his epistle's purpose. "These things have I written unto you" (tauta egrapsa hymin)—the aorist tense refers to the completed letter. "That believe on the name of the Son of God" (tois pisteuousin eis to onoma tou huiou tou theou)—the present participle indicates ongoing faith. The "name" represents Christ's full revealed identity and authority. John writes to genuine believers, not skeptics or mere professors.

"That ye may know that ye have eternal life" (hina eidēte hoti zōēn echete aiōnion). Oida (know) indicates certain, confident knowledge, not mere hope or wish. John's purpose is assurance—that believers may know with certainty they possess eternal life. The present tense "have" emphasizes current possession, not future hope. This contrasts with some traditions that make assurance impossible or presumptuous. Biblical Christianity offers and expects assurance based on objective grounds (God's promises, Christ's work) and subjective evidence (Spirit's witness, transformed life).

Some manuscripts add "and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (KJV includes this). This doesn't suggest doubt about believers' faith but that assurance strengthens and confirms ongoing faith. Knowing we possess eternal life doesn't produce complacency but deepens trust and devotion. John's tests throughout the epistle (righteous living, loving believers, sound doctrine) provide means of assurance while warning false professors. True believers examining themselves find evidence of genuine faith, producing confidence in their eternal security.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

John's purpose statement parallels his gospel's purpose: "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31). The gospel aimed at producing faith; the epistle aims at confirming and assuring faith. Both emphasize certainty—the gospel that readers might believe and have life, the epistle that believers might know they have life.

The medieval church often denied assurance was possible except for special divine revelation. The Reformation recovered biblical assurance, insisting believers could and should know they possess salvation. Calvin taught assurance as faith's essence. Puritans developed extensive teaching on gaining and maintaining assurance through examining evidence of grace. John's explicit purpose—that believers know they have eternal life—supports the Reformed emphasis on assurance against traditions that considered it presumptuous.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you currently have the certain knowledge that you possess eternal life, which was John's purpose in writing this letter?
  2. What evidence from your life (using John's tests: faith in Christ, righteous living, loving believers) provides assurance of genuine salvation?
  3. How does knowing with certainty that you have eternal life affect your Christian life, worship, and service?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ταῦτα1 of 28

“These things”

G5023

these things

ἔγραψα2 of 28

“have I written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ὑμῖν3 of 28

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

τοῖς4 of 28
G3588

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

πιστεύητε5 of 28

“that believe”

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

εἰς6 of 28

“on”

G1519

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

τὸ7 of 28
G3588

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

ὄνομα8 of 28

“the name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ9 of 28
G3588

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

ὑιοῦ10 of 28

“of the Son”

G5207

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

τοῦ11 of 28
G3588

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

Θεοῦ,12 of 28

“of God”

G2316

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

ἵνα13 of 28

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

εἰδῆτε14 of 28

“ye may know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι15 of 28

“that ye”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ζωὴν16 of 28

“life”

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

ἔχετε17 of 28

“have”

G2192

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

αἰώνιον18 of 28

“eternal”

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

καὶ19 of 28

“and”

G2532

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

ἵνα20 of 28

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

πιστεύητε21 of 28

“that believe”

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

εἰς22 of 28

“on”

G1519

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

τὸ23 of 28
G3588

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

ὄνομα24 of 28

“the name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ25 of 28
G3588

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

ὑιοῦ26 of 28

“of the Son”

G5207

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

τοῦ27 of 28
G3588

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

Θεοῦ,28 of 28

“of God”

G2316

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

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 5:13 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 5:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 20:31John 1:121 John 3:232 Peter 1:10-11John 3:181 John 2:21

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

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