Chapter
1 2 3 4 5
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1 John 5:9
ESV If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.
NIV We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
NASB If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.
CSB If we accept human testimony, God's testimony is greater, because it is God's testimony that he has given about his Son.
NLT Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son.
KJV If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

What does 1 John 5:9 mean?

John assumes people will receive the testimony of men, so they ought to be willing to accept statements from God. John observes that "the testimony of God is greater." He argues from the lesser to the greater, noting the obvious belief to his readers that God is greater than people.

The second part of this verse gives further evidence that water and blood, as seen in verse 6, do not refer directly to Jesus. Instead, they draw a connection between God the Father and God the Spirit, and their testimony regarding Jesus. God the Father spoke clearly at the "water," the baptism of Jesus, calling Him "my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17). At the death of Jesus, the centurion declared, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54). John the Baptist likewise spoke of the testimony of the Spirit at the baptism of Jesus: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him" (John 1:32). John the Baptist said, "I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God" (John 1:34).
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