How does 1 John 5:20 affirm Jesus as "the true God"? The Text Itself: 1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” Key Observations from the Verse • Three linked certainties: 1. “The Son of God has come.” – a historical, completed fact. 2. “He has given us understanding.” – a present, ongoing result. 3. “That we may know Him who is true.” – the purpose of Christ’s revelation. • The climactic declaration: “He is the true God and eternal life.” • The Greek pronoun houtos (“He”) naturally points to the nearest person mentioned, “His Son Jesus Christ,” identifying Jesus—not merely the Father—as “the true God.” Why “the True God” Clearly Refers to Jesus • Grammatical flow: “in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God…”—Jesus is the subject in view. • Co-equal titles: only God can rightly be called “eternal life” (cf. Psalm 36:9; John 1:4). John joins that title to Jesus. • Consistency with John’s prologue: “the Word was God” (John 1:1) and “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). • Harmony with Thomas’s confession: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). John, the same author, affirms here what he recorded there. Supporting Witnesses in Scripture • Colossians 2:9 – “For in Christ all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily.” • Titus 2:13 – “We wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” • Hebrews 1:8 – The Father speaks of the Son: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.” • Isaiah 45:5 – “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” Monotheism is maintained; Jesus shares the one divine nature. What This Means for Everyday Faith • Confidence: Our Savior is not a lesser being but God Himself, fully sufficient to save. • Clarity: Knowing Jesus is knowing the one true God; no additional mediator is needed. • Assurance: Eternal life is found in a Person, not a concept, because “He is…eternal life.” • Worship: Recognizing Christ’s deity deepens reverence, obedience, and love for Him. Takeaway Summary 1 John 5:20 ends any doubt—Jesus Christ is declared “the true God and eternal life.” The grammar, immediate context, and broader biblical testimony all converge to affirm His full, literal deity. |
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