What does 1 John 5:1 mean?

Chapter 5 emphasizes the believer's ability to "overcome" the world through the power of Christ. This opening verse notes that being "born of God" is the result of faith in Christ. In John's gospel, he speaks of being "born of God" (John 1:13). John chapter 3 offers the Bible's most detailed account of this idea. There, Nicodemus is told a person must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. The one and only way to be born again is to believe Jesus is the Messiah (John 14:6).

The second part of this verse again reminds readers that love for God is inseparable from love for other people. True believers must also love other believers. In contrast with false teachers, who may exhibit hate or rejection of other believers, true Christians are to view other believers as brothers and sisters—fellow members of the family of God. Those who claim to love God, but exhibit hate, were labelled as liars earlier in this letter (1 John 4:20).