The book of First John

A Verse by Verse Study
Text 1st John 5:10 - 13

A. V. 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.”

      1. I believe this sums up what I have said in V. 9 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:”

     2. This could be the Holy Spirit and really we do have the Holy Spirit in us, however, we also have in our hearts that Christ was born a man and that He died as a man therefore shedding His blood to cleanse our sins. 1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

     3. And this is the witness of man “he that believeth not God hath made him a liar;” Because greater is the witness of God in our hearts than in the world. God is truth to us and  a lie to man. They make God a liar. Let’s remember 1 John 1:10 “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”              

 

 

B. V. 11 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

     1. “And this is the record,” Record means evidence given.

     2.  This is the testimony that the false teachers refused to believe but the Christians held on to as the truth: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The divine, eternal life resides in Christ, who makes it available to all who believe in him. That Jesus is indeed God's Son has been established by testimony from God himself.

     3. This is why God said we call Him a liar if we deny 1. That Salvation is in Christ and Christ only and 2. If we deny that God saves sinners.

          a. John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

          b. John 5:21 “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”

          c. John 5:39-40 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (40.) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

          d. This is the record of God and if we deny this record we make God a liar.

     4. “That God hath given to us eternal life.” That is He has provided, through the Saviour, the means of obtaining eternal life. 

     5. Adam Clark said “And this life is in his Son; it comes by and through him; he is its author and its purchaser; it is only in and through HIM. No other scheme of salvation can be effectual; God has provided none other, and in such a case a man's invention must be vain.” 

     6. It is not mine to give; therefore He will give it to whoever He chooses.

 

C. V. 12 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

     1. That is an explanation mark and a period! There are no “if’s” “ands” or “buts”

     2. John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

     3. John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

     4. Adam Clark says “As the eternal life is given IN the Son of God, it follows that it cannot be enjoyed without him. No man can have it without having Christ; therefore he that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life. It is in vain to expect eternal glory, if we have not Christ in our heart. The indwelling Christ gives both a title to it, and a meetness for it. This is God's record. Let no man deceive himself here. An indwelling Christ and GLORY; no indwelling Christ, NO glory. God's record must stand.” 

     5. “and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” There is no life outside of Christ, period! John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” 

 

D. V. 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.”

     1. “These things have I written unto you” This is the record, the witness of God’s man, and the inspired word of God.

     2. The original text reads “these things I have written unto you, the ones believing on the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have everlasting life…” The record leaves no doubt.

     3. we need to remember John is writing to young Christians and this is a boost for them, because some say life is not in Christ, or life is not possible without works, John says it is in Christ and Christ only.