King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:20 Mean?

1 John 5:20 in the King James Version says “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 a... — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 John 5:20 · KJV


Context

18

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

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.

21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's giving you understanding enable you to know God truly, which was impossible before His coming?
  2. What does it mean practically that you 'are in Him that is true' through union with Jesus Christ?
  3. How does this clear affirmation that Jesus Christ 'is the true God and eternal life' affect your worship and confidence in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
οἴδαμεν1 of 36

we 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

δὲ2 of 36

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ὅτι3 of 36

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

4 of 36
G3588

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

υἱῷ5 of 36

Son

G5207

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

τοῦ6 of 36
G3588

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

Θεός,7 of 36

God

G2316

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

ἥκει8 of 36

is come

G2240

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

καὶ9 of 36

and

G2532

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

δέδωκεν10 of 36

hath given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἡμῖν11 of 36

us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

διάνοιαν12 of 36

an understanding

G1271

deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise

ἵνα13 of 36

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

γινώσκωμεν14 of 36

we may know

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὸν15 of 36
G3588

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

ἀληθινὸς16 of 36

him that is true

G228

truthful

καὶ17 of 36

and

G2532

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

ἐσμεν18 of 36

we are

G2070

we are

ἐν19 of 36

even in

G1722

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

τῷ20 of 36
G3588

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

ἀληθινὸς21 of 36

him that is true

G228

truthful

ἐν22 of 36

even in

G1722

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

τῷ23 of 36
G3588

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

υἱῷ24 of 36

Son

G5207

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

αὐτοῦ25 of 36

his

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

Ἰησοῦ26 of 36

Jesus

G2424

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

Χριστῷ27 of 36

Christ

G5547

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

οὗτός28 of 36

This

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν29 of 36

is

G2076

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

30 of 36
G3588

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

ἀληθινὸς31 of 36

him that is true

G228

truthful

Θεός,32 of 36

God

G2316

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

καὶ33 of 36

and

G2532

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

34 of 36
G3588

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

ζωὴ35 of 36

life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

αἰώνιος.36 of 36

eternal

G166

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


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 5:20 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 5:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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