1 John 5:12

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

He that hath {G2192} the Son {G5207} hath {G2192} life {G2222}; and he that hath {G2192} not {G3361} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316} hath {G2192} not {G3756} life {G2222}.

Those who have the Son have the life; those who do not have the Son of God do not have the life.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life.

Commentary

1 John 5:12 presents a foundational truth of Christianity, unequivocally stating that genuine spiritual and eternal life is found exclusively in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse comes near the conclusion of John's first epistle, a letter primarily written to assure believers of their salvation and to combat false teachings that denied the true humanity and divinity of Jesus. John has been emphasizing the importance of believing in Jesus as the Son of God (1 John 5:10) and living a life that reflects that belief. The preceding verses discuss the divine testimony concerning Christ, leading directly to this stark, definitive statement about the source of life.

Key Themes

  • The Centrality of Christ: The verse places Jesus Christ at the absolute center of salvation and life. There is no alternative path to true life.
  • Exclusivity of Salvation: It clearly teaches that eternal life is possessed only by those who "have the Son." This is not a matter of works or rituals, but of a personal relationship with Him.
  • Definition of "Life": The "life" spoken of here (Greek: zoe) is not merely physical existence but refers to spiritual, divine, and eternal life – the very life of God. It is a quality of life that begins now and extends into eternity, marked by peace, joy, and fellowship with God. This concept of eternal life is central to John's writings.
  • Consequences of Rejection: The second part of the verse serves as a solemn warning: those who do not have the Son of God inherently lack this true, spiritual life. This highlights the grave implications of rejecting Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "hath" (echo) implies a present and continuous possession. It's not about merely acknowledging facts about Jesus, but about a living, abiding relationship with Him. The repetition of "hath life" and "hath not life" creates a powerful rhetorical contrast, underscoring the absolute nature of the statement. The term "Son of God" emphasizes His divine nature and unique relationship with the Father, making Him the sole mediator of this life.

Practical Application and Significance

For believers, this verse offers immense comfort and assurance. It reinforces that their spiritual life and eternal security are firmly rooted in their relationship with Jesus. It provides a clear answer to the question of how to gain true knowledge of God and eternal life. For those who have not yet embraced Christ, the verse serves as a profound invitation and a clear warning, urging them to consider the ultimate source of life. It underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel, as it is the only message that offers this indispensable life.

This truth is foundational for understanding the assurance of salvation, a key theme John develops further in the very next verse.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 3:36 (28 votes)

    He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  • John 5:24 (16 votes)

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

  • John 3:15 (13 votes)

    That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • John 1:12 (12 votes)

    But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

  • Mark 16:16 (11 votes)

    He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30 (10 votes)

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

  • 2 John 1:9 (5 votes)

    Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.