What is the meaning of 1 John 5:6? This is the One who came “ This is the One who came …” (1 John 5:6a). • John identifies Jesus as the promised Messiah who truly entered history (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4). • The word “came” stresses purposeful mission: the Son left glory, took on flesh, and fulfilled the Father’s plan (Philippians 2:6-8). • This opening phrase pushes back against early false teachers who denied either Christ’s deity or His genuine humanity (2 John 7). by water “… by water …” (1 John 5:6a). • Most naturally points to Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17). – At that moment the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son” (Mark 1:9-11). • That public baptism launched His earthly ministry, identifying Him with sinners He came to save (2 Corinthians 5:21). • It also fulfilled righteousness, showing obedience to God’s revealed will (Matthew 3:15). and blood “… and blood …” (1 John 5:6a). • Refers to the cross where Jesus shed His blood for atonement (John 19:34; Hebrews 9:14). • His death satisfied divine justice, cleansed believers from sin, and established the new covenant (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7). • Water marked the beginning of ministry; blood marked the completion (John 19:30). not by water alone, but by water and blood “ … not by water alone, but by water and blood .” (1 John 5:6b). • John insists both events are essential. False teachers accepted Jesus’ baptism but rejected His atoning death; Scripture keeps them inseparable (Luke 24:25-27). • Salvation rests on the whole work of Christ—from identification with sinners to substitution for sinners (Romans 5:8-9). • The pairing also echoes Jesus’ own words about a “baptism” of suffering He must undergo (Mark 10:38-39; Luke 12:50). and it is the Spirit who testifies to this “ And it is the Spirit who testifies to this …” (1 John 5:6c). • The Holy Spirit continually bears witness to the true identity and finished work of Jesus (John 15:26; Acts 5:32). • He applied that testimony at Jesus’ baptism (descending like a dove) and at the cross (using signs such as the temple veil tearing, Matthew 27:51). • Today He confirms the gospel in the hearts of believers (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 12:3). because the Spirit is the truth “… because the Spirit is the truth.” (1 John 5:6d). • Truth is not merely a concept; it is a Person within the Godhead (John 14:17; 16:13). • The Spirit’s testimony is perfectly reliable, guarding the church from error and empowering believers to stand firm (Ephesians 1:13-14). • His inner witness aligns with the historical witnesses of water and blood, giving a threefold, unified confirmation of Jesus’ saving mission (1 John 5:7-8). summary John counters deception by pointing to three divine witnesses: the historical baptism (“water”), the sacrificial death (“blood”), and the ongoing testimony of the Holy Spirit. Together they affirm that Jesus is the incarnate Son of God who fully obeyed, fully suffered, and fully saves. Accepting all three witnesses anchors faith, assures salvation, and fuels confident living in the truth. |
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