1 John 5:9

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

BSB Berean Standard Bible

Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.

WEB World English Bible

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.

ASV American Standard Version

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

If the testimony of men we receive, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that He hath testified concerning His Son.

Surrounding context — 1 John 5

6 This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

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.

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

12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Read the whole chapter → · About 1 John →

Topics connected to this verse

Original-language word links

These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.

Cross-references

Matthew 3:16-17And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:John 8:17-19It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.Matthew 17:5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.Acts 5:32And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.1 John 5:10He 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.Hebrews 2:4God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?John 10:38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.John 3:32-33And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.John 5:31-37If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

Compare classic commentaries on 1 John 5:9

Put Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, Calvin, Wesley, Barnes, Jamieson–Fausset–Brown, Aquinas’ Catena and other public-domain sources beside the passage.

Compare commentaries →

CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING

Spurgeon on 1 John 5:9

Read Charles H. Spurgeon material whose primary Scripture is this verse or passage.

See all indexed Spurgeon material for this passage →