1 John 5:10
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The epistemological distinction — 'he that believes on the Son has the witness in himself; he that believes not God has made him a liar' — introduces internal witness as a criterion of authentic faith that complements the external witness of water, blood, and Spirit (vv. 6–8). The charge of making God a liar echoes John 8:44's description of the devil as the father of lies and is here applied to those who refuse the testimony about the Son, making disbelief a form of slander against divine character. The 'witness in himself' has been interpreted as the Holy Spirit's internal testimony (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12) and has contributed to Reformed doctrine of the 'internal testimony of the Holy Spirit' (testimonium internum). The verse stands as one of the New Testament's most pointed statements about the stakes of christological confession.
Other Translations
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.
He who is believing in the Son of God, hath the testimony in himself; he who is not believing God, a liar hath made Him, because he hath not believed in the testimony that God hath testified concerning His Son;
He who has faith in the Son of God has the witness in himself: he who has not faith in God makes him false, because he has not faith in the witness which God has given about his Son.
Cross References
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he …
And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me …
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a …
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which …
And I will give him the morning star.