Assurance of Eternal Life (1 John 5:13-21)
Concluding Remarks: Assurance of Eternal Life (1 John 5:13–21)
In the closing verses of 1 John, the apostle reassures believers of their eternal life and confidence in Jesus Christ. These final words distill the major themes of the letter: the certainty of eternal life, the power of prayer, and the call to avoid sin. John urges his readers to hold tightly to the truth of their salvation and to live with boldness, knowing their faith secures them in God’s love.
John’s closing words combine pastoral care with theological depth, anchoring assurance in the person of Jesus and the life he provides. Themes of love, faith, obedience, and victory converge here, reminding believers that eternal life is both a future hope and a present reality. For John, this assurance transforms how Christians navigate a world often at odds with the gospel, offering boldness and peace.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of 1 John 5:13–21
1 John 5:13: To you who believe in the name of the Son of God
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
John begins by clarifying his purpose: to assure believers of their eternal life. This certainty is foundational to the letter, grounded not in fleeting feelings but in faith in Jesus Christ. Assurance here is transformative, giving believers peace and confidence in their relationship with God.
As Raymond E. Brown notes, this assurance is experiential, rooted in a living relationship with Christ. It echoes Jesus’ own promises, such as in John 10:28: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand” (Brown, 1982, p. 536).
1 John 5:14–15: God hears our prayers
“This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”
John ties eternal life to prayer, emphasizing confidence in approaching God. Prayers aligned with God’s will are always heard and answered. This is not a blank check for personal desires but an invitation to participate in God’s purposes.
This principle resonates with Jesus’ teaching in John 15:7: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” I. Howard Marshall points out that answered prayer flows from alignment with God’s will, reflecting trust and submission rather than control (Marshall, 1978, p. 214).
1 John 5:16–17: The mortal sin
“If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give them life. To those whose sin is not mortal, there is a sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.”
Here, John introduces the concept of mortal and non-mortal sins. Believers are encouraged to pray for those whose sins are not mortal, trusting that God will bring forgiveness. Mortal sin, likely referring to a deliberate rejection of Christ, is more severe and not easily remedied by intercession alone.
Stephen S. Smalley observes that John is less concerned with defining these categories and more focused on the communal responsibility to pray for one another. This reflects Paul’s call in Galatians 6:1 to restore those who sin with gentleness (Smalley, 2008, p. 196).
1 John 5:18: The effect of God’s love
“We know that anyone born of God does not sin; but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them.”
Believers, as children of God, are empowered to resist sin. Though not sinless, their lives are characterized by victory over sin through Christ’s protection. Satan may tempt, but he cannot claim those who belong to God.
This echoes Paul’s words in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Raymond E. Brown emphasizes that the believer’s security lies in Christ’s redemptive work, not in human effort (Brown, 1982, p. 538).
1 John 5:19: God’s Children and the World
“We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.”
John contrasts the believer’s secure identity in Christ with the world’s bondage to the evil one. This dichotomy highlights the spiritual battle believers face, though their victory is assured in Christ.
I. Howard Marshall suggests this distinction mirrors Jesus’ prayer in John 17:16: “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” Believers live with the tension of being in the world but not belonging to it (Marshall, 1978, p. 216).
1 John 5:20: The Son of God has come
“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 underscores the incarnation and Jesus’ role as the true revelation of God. Believers know the true God through Jesus, who grants eternal life. This truth is the culmination of John’s message, reaffirming Jesus’ divinity and saving work.
Stephen S. Smalley notes that this declaration connects to John’s gospel, where Jesus proclaims, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Son reveals the Father and secures eternal life for all who believe (Smalley, 2008, p. 197).
1 John 5:21: Keep yourself from idols
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
John’s final exhortation is pastoral and urgent: remain faithful to the true God. Idolatry represents any distraction or false devotion that takes God’s rightful place in a believer’s heart. This echoes Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:14: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from the worship of idols.” Anything that takes priority over God—whether it be power, success, relationships, or material possessions—becomes an idol, replacing the ultimate devotion that is due to God alone.
1 John 5:13–21: Meaning for Today
John’s concluding words offer profound assurance to believers. Eternal life is a present and future reality, secured through faith in Jesus Christ. This confidence transforms how Christians pray, live, and face the world’s challenges. Prayer becomes a powerful expression of trust in God, and sin is no longer a master but a defeated foe through Christ.
The passage also calls believers to vigilance against idols, urging exclusive devotion to God.
