How does 1 John 5:20 connect to John 14:6 about truth? Setting the Scene: Two Verses, One Theme 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.” John 14:6 — “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” Truth Is a Person • Both passages treat truth not merely as a concept but as the very identity of Jesus Christ. • 1 John 5:20 names Jesus “the true God,” while John 14:6 has Jesus declaring, “I am the truth.” • The connection is straightforward: to meet Christ is to encounter objective, absolute, personal truth. Knowing Truth Means Union with Christ • 1 John highlights “we are in Him who is true,” stressing relational union. • John 14:6 shows the pathway into that union: “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” • Together they teach that truth is entered, not simply studied. – John 17:3 echoes this: “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” Understanding Granted by the Son • 1 John 5:20 says Jesus “has given us understanding.” The mind is illuminated by the One who is truth. • This fulfills John 1:9, “The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.” • Salvation, then, is both enlightenment and relationship—made possible only by Christ. Exclusive and Comprehensive Truth • Exclusive: John 14:6 insists there is no other way; 1 Timothy 2:5 adds, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” • Comprehensive: 1 John 5:20 concludes, “He is… eternal life.” All realities—way, truth, life—are wrapped up in Him (cf. Colossians 2:3). Living Out the Truth • Because we “are in Him,” believers bear witness to truth in daily conduct (Ephesians 4:25). • The Spirit of truth indwells us (John 14:17), guiding into all truth (John 16:13) so our walk matches our confession. • Anchored in the One who is true, we stand firm against error (2 John 1–2) and shine as “pillars and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). |
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