King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Who does overcome the world if not the person who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God?
Berean Standard Bible:
Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
American Standard Version:
And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Who{G5101} is{G2076} he that overcometh{G3528} the world{G2889}, but{G1508} he that believeth{G4100} that{G3754} Jesus{G2424} is{G2076} the Son{G5207} of God{G2316}?
Cross-References (KJV):
1 John 4:15
- Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
1 John 5:1
- ¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
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Commentary for 1 John 5:5
1 John 5:5 is a verse from the First Epistle of John, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, who was one of Jesus' original disciples and a pillar of the early Christian church. The epistle is thought to have been written in the late 1st century to address theological controversies and to encourage believers in their faith. The verse reads, "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early church's struggle with various heresies, including Gnosticism and Docetism, which denied the true humanity or divinity of Jesus Christ. The epistle emphasizes the importance of correct beliefs about Jesus, particularly his divine sonship and actual human incarnation, as essential to the Christian faith.
The theme of 1 John 5:5 is the victory that believers have over the world through faith in Jesus Christ. The term "overcomes the world" suggests triumph over the sinful systems, ideologies, and powers that are in opposition to God's will and kingdom. This victory is not achieved by human strength or wisdom but through faith—specifically, the faith that acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. This belief is foundational because it affirms Jesus' authority, the salvific nature of his death and resurrection, and the transformative power of his teachings.
In summary, 1 John 5:5 succinctly captures the early Christian understanding that the essence of spiritual victory lies in a faithful conviction about Jesus' identity as the Son of God. This belief is presented as the key to overcoming the worldly forces that stand in opposition to God, and it serves as a cornerstone for Christian doctrine and practice.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G5101
There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίς
Transliteration: tís
Pronunciation: tis
Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G3528
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νικάω
Transliteration: nikáō
Pronunciation: nik-ah'-o
Description: from νίκη; to subdue (literally or figuratively):--conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory. - Strong's Number: G2889
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κόσμος
Transliteration: kósmos
Pronunciation: kos'-mos
Description: probably from the base of κομίζω; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world. - Strong's Number: G1508
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ μή
Transliteration: ei mḗ
Pronunciation: i may
Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till. - Strong's Number: G4100
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πιστεύω
Transliteration: pisteúō
Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus. - Strong's Number: G5207
There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: υἱός
Transliteration: huiós
Pronunciation: hwee-os'
Description: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).