1 John 5:8

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

And {G2532} there are {G1526} three {G5140} that bear witness {G3140} in {G1722} earth {G1093}, the Spirit {G4151}, and {G2532} the water {G5204}, and {G2532} the blood {G129}: and {G2532} these three {G5140} agree {G1526} in {G1519} one {G1520}.

the Spirit, the water and the blood — and these three are in agreement.

the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.

1 John 5:8 is a crucial verse within John's first epistle, emphasizing the undeniable testimony to the identity of Jesus Christ. Following a discussion on believing in the Son of God, this verse presents three earthly witnesses that validate who Jesus is and what He accomplished.

Context

This verse is part of a broader section in 1 John 5 (verses 6-12) that focuses on the divine witness to Jesus Christ. John is combating false teachings, particularly docetism, which denied the full humanity of Jesus. The apostle underscores that Jesus came not by water only (referring to His baptism), but by both water and blood (referring to His death). The three witnesses mentioned in verse 8 — the Spirit, the water, and the blood — serve as concrete, historical, and spiritual proofs of Jesus' true nature as the Son of God who came in the flesh to save humanity. This builds upon the previous verse that introduces the concept of witnesses, affirming the core tenets of Christian faith.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of Christ's Incarnation and Atonement: The "water" is widely understood to refer to Jesus' baptism, marking the beginning of His public ministry and divine affirmation (Matthew 3:16-17). The "blood" signifies His sacrificial death on the cross, His atoning work for humanity's sins (John 19:34). Together, they confirm that Jesus was fully human and that His death was a real, redemptive act.
  • The Holy Spirit's Testimony: The "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit, who continually bears witness to the truth of Christ. This witness is both external, through the Spirit's work in the world and through inspired scripture, and internal, in the hearts of believers (Romans 8:16). The Spirit empowers believers to confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.
  • Unity of Witness: The phrase "these three agree in one" (Greek: eis to hen eisin) highlights the harmonious and unified nature of these testimonies. They are not disparate proofs but converge to affirm one singular truth: Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, who came to save the world through His life, death, and resurrection. This unity provides a firm foundation for Christian faith.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "agree in one" is eis to hen eisin, which literally means "they are into the one" or "they are for the one." This emphasizes not just a casual agreement but a purposeful convergence towards a single, unified testimony. It underscores the divine orchestration behind these different forms of witness, all pointing to the essential truth of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 John 5:8 offers profound assurance. Our faith in Jesus is not based on wishful thinking but on multiple, corroborating witnesses provided by God Himself. The historical realities of Jesus' life and death (water and blood) are confirmed by the ongoing work and testimony of the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages us to stand firm in our belief, knowing that the truth of Christ's identity and atoning work is powerfully attested. It also reminds us of the Spirit's role in affirming our faith and empowering us to live out the truth of the Gospel.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 1 John 5:7

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

  • John 15:26

    But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

  • 1 Peter 3:21

    ¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

  • Acts 2:2

    And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

  • Acts 2:4

    And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

  • Romans 8:16

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

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