1 John 5:10

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that believeth {G4100} on {G1519} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316} hath {G2192} the witness {G3141} in {G1722} himself {G1438}: he that believeth {G4100} not {G3361} God {G2316} hath made {G4160} him {G846} a liar {G5583}; because {G3754} he believeth {G4100} not {G3756}{G1519} the record {G3141} that {G3739} God {G2316} gave {G3140} of {G4012} his {G846} Son {G5207}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who keep trusting in the Son of God have this witness in them. Those who do not keep trusting God have made him out to be a liar, because they have not trusted in the witness which God has given about his Son.

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

American Standard Version

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne concerning his Son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 5:10 powerfully articulates the profound implications of one's response to the divine testimony concerning Jesus Christ. It declares that those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God possess an internal, Spirit-empowered witness confirming this truth, while those who reject God's record concerning His Son effectively accuse the truthful God of falsehood, demonstrating the grave spiritual consequences of unbelief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the concluding section of John's first epistle, specifically following a profound discussion on the "witness" or "testimony" concerning Jesus Christ. In [1 John 5:6-9](/1_john/5-6-9 "1 John 5:6-9 - The Triune Witness"), John meticulously details the three witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—all of which testify to Jesus's true identity as the Son of God. He then emphasizes that if human testimony is accepted, God's testimony, being greater, must surely be received. Verse 10 serves as the direct consequence and summation of this argument, contrasting the believer's reception of this testimony with the unbeliever's rejection, thereby highlighting the critical importance of accepting God's self-revelation in Christ. The flow moves from the objective reality of God's witness to its subjective reception (or rejection) by humanity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's epistle was written to a community facing internal strife and external pressures, particularly from proto-Gnostic teachings that denied the full humanity or divinity of Jesus. These false teachers often claimed a superior, secret knowledge and denied the reality of Jesus's incarnation and sacrificial death. In this context, John's repeated emphasis on "witness" (μαρτυρία, _martyría'_) and "truth" (ἀλήθεια, _alētheia'_) is crucial. The concept of "witness" was deeply rooted in both Jewish legal tradition (Deuteronomy 19:15, where two or three witnesses establish a fact) and Roman legal practice. John leverages this understanding to underscore the irrefutable nature of God's testimony concerning His Son, presenting it as a divinely established, legally binding truth that demands a response. The cultural backdrop of a community grappling with competing claims about Jesus's identity makes John's clear declaration of God's witness all the more vital.

* **Key Themes:** First John 5:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the epistle. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Assurance of Salvation**, providing a tangible mark of true faith: the internal witness of the Spirit. This assurance is not based on feelings but on the objective truth of God's testimony and its subjective reception. Secondly, it underscores the **Centrality of Jesus's Identity as the Son of God**, a foundational truth that John consistently defends against heretical teachings (e.g., [1 John 4:2-3](/1_john/4-2-3 "1 John 4:2-3 - Testing the Spirits")). Belief in His divine Sonship is presented as the very essence of saving faith. Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Gravity of Unbelief**, portraying it not merely as a lack of knowledge but as a direct affront to God's character. To disbelieve God's record is to call God a liar, revealing the profound spiritual danger of rejecting divine truth. This aligns with John's broader emphasis on the stark division between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, belief and unbelief, which permeates the entire epistle and his Gospel (e.g., [John 3:18-19](/john/3-18-19 "John 3:18-19 - Judgment and Light")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Believeth (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From the root _pistis_ (faith), this verb signifies more than mere intellectual assent. It denotes a profound trust, reliance, and commitment to a person or thing. In this context, it is the act of entrusting one's spiritual well-being to the Son of God, accepting His identity and the truth of God's testimony concerning Him. It implies a full surrender and embrace of the reality God has revealed.
* **Witness/Record (Greek, _martyría'_):** This noun carries a rich dual meaning. It refers to objective "evidence" or "testimony" given, often in a judicial sense, establishing a fact (the "record that God gave"). Simultaneously, for the believer, it signifies the subjective "witness" or personal assurance that results from receiving and internalizing that divine testimony. John uses the same word to underscore both the external divine declaration and its internal reception by faith.
* **Liar (Greek, _pseústēs'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to falsify," this strong and condemnatory term denotes one who is a deceiver or speaks falsehoods. John uses it here to convey the severe consequence of rejecting God's testimony: it is tantamount to accusing God Himself of being untruthful, thereby impugning His very character and integrity. It highlights the ultimate seriousness of unbelief as a direct assault on divine veracity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:"** This clause describes the blessed state of the true believer. To "believe on the Son of God" means to place one's complete trust and faith in Jesus Christ, acknowledging His divine nature and redemptive work. The result is an "internal witness"—a profound, Spirit-given conviction and assurance within the believer's own spirit that confirms the truth of Jesus's identity and their salvation. This is not a subjective feeling without basis, but an internal confirmation of an objective reality.
* **"he that believeth not God hath made him a liar;"** This presents the stark antithesis. To "believe not God" means to reject the divine testimony concerning His Son. John uses incredibly strong language here: such unbelief is not merely a disagreement or a lack of understanding, but an act that effectively "makes God a liar." It is a direct assault on God's character, impugning His truthfulness and integrity, which are foundational to His very being.
* **"because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."** This final clause provides the reason for the severe indictment. The unbeliever's rejection of God is specifically tied to their refusal to accept "the record (or testimony) that God gave of his Son." This "record" encompasses all of God's revelation concerning Jesus—His incarnation, life, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension—all of which collectively testify to His divine Sonship and saving power. The failure to believe this divinely attested truth is what constitutes the act of calling God a liar.

#### Literary Devices
First John 5:10 employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is the most prominent, setting up a stark dichotomy between the believer and the unbeliever, and their respective relationships with God's truth. This contrast is reinforced by the parallel structure of the two halves of the verse. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "hath made him a liar," where God, who is inherently truthful, is depicted as being treated as if He were a liar by the unbeliever's actions. This is a powerful rhetorical device to emphasize the gravity of unbelief. Furthermore, **Repetition** of key terms like "believeth" and "witness/record" (μαρτυρία) serves to underscore the central themes and reinforce the epistle's core message about the nature of faith and the certainty of God's truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of the nature of faith, the character of God, and the assurance of salvation. It establishes that genuine faith is not a blind leap but a response to God's clear, objective testimony concerning His Son, which is then confirmed by an internal, subjective witness of the Holy Spirit. To reject this testimony is to fundamentally misunderstand and impugn the very nature of God, who is truth itself. The theological implication is that belief in Jesus is not optional for salvation; it is the essential response to God's ultimate self-revelation, and unbelief is a direct affront to divine veracity, leading to condemnation.

* [John 3:33](/john/3-33 "John 3:33 - He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true")
* [Romans 8:16](/romans/8-16 "Romans 8:16 - The Spirit bears witness with our spirit")
* [1 John 4:15](/1_john/4-15 "1 John 4:15 - Confessing Jesus as the Son of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First John 5:10 offers both profound comfort and a sobering challenge. For the believer, it provides immense assurance: our faith is not built on shifting sands of emotion or human opinion, but on the unshakeable "record" that God Himself has given concerning His Son. This divine testimony is not merely an external fact, but it is internally affirmed by the Holy Spirit, providing a deep, personal "witness in himself." This should bolster our confidence in our salvation, our identity in Christ, and the reliability of God's Word. It calls us to rest in this divine certainty and to live from a place of assured sonship. For those who may struggle with doubt or are contemplating faith, this verse underscores the ultimate source of truth: God's own revelation in Jesus. It challenges us to consider the profound implications of rejecting what God has so clearly and powerfully stated about His Son. To disbelieve is to reject God’s truth and impugn His character, while to believe is to embrace His divine witness and receive eternal life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "witness in himself" manifest in your own life? What does it feel like to have this internal assurance?**
* **In what ways might we, even as believers, implicitly or explicitly "make God a liar" by doubting His promises or His character?**
* **What is the "record that God gave of his Son" that you most deeply cherish and rely upon for your faith?**
* **How does understanding the gravity of unbelief (as an affront to God's truthfulness) impact your evangelistic efforts or your prayers for the lost?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "have the witness in himself"?**
Answer: To "have the witness in himself" means that a person who believes in Jesus as the Son of God experiences an internal, spiritual confirmation of this truth. This is not merely an intellectual understanding but a deep, personal conviction and assurance, primarily imparted by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, as described in [Romans 8:16](/romans/8-16 "Romans 8:16 - The Spirit's Witness"). This internal witness is the subjective experience of the objective truth of God's testimony concerning His Son.

**Why is it such a serious offense to "make God a liar"?**
Answer: It is a serious offense because God is by nature truth itself; He cannot lie ([Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God, who cannot lie")). To "make God a liar" means to reject His explicit testimony about Jesus Christ, thereby accusing Him of falsehood. This directly challenges His integrity, veracity, and omniscient character. It implies that God is either mistaken or deliberately deceptive, which is blasphemous and fundamentally distorts who God is. John emphasizes this to highlight the profound spiritual gravity of unbelief, which is not merely a neutral position but an active rejection of divine truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First John 5:10 finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the ultimate embodiment and object of God's testimony. The "record that God gave of his Son" is not just a set of facts, but the very person of Jesus Christ, through whom God has fully revealed Himself. Jesus consistently bore witness to His own divine Sonship and mission, declaring, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). His life, miracles, death, and resurrection are the tangible manifestations of God's "record," culminating in the Father's own voice from heaven affirming, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Baptism of Jesus")). The "witness in himself" that believers possess is the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to testify of Him ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit of Truth")). Thus, the entire verse points to Jesus as the one in whom God's truth is perfectly displayed, and through whom the Spirit confirms that truth in the hearts of those who believe, assuring them of their eternal life in Him ([1 John 5:11-12](/1_john/5-11-12 "1 John 5:11-12 - The Testimony of Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

John 3:33

He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

John 5:38

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Numbers 23:19

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Hebrews 3:12

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living 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.