1 John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Study Note
Study Note
The statement 'these things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life' declares the letter's explicit purpose: not primarily instruction about ethics or Christology but the grounding of assurance in those who already believe. The perfect tense 'ye have eternal life' (echete zōēn aiōnion) presents eternal life as a present possession rather than a future hope alone — the characteristically Johannine 'realised eschatology.' The parallel with John 20:31 ('these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ…and that believing ye might have life') suggests both the Gospel and the Epistle were written with life-giving faith as their ultimate pastoral goal. The verse became the primary New Testament text for the Reformed doctrine of assurance of salvation grounded in the external word rather than in introspective experience.
Other Translations
These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.
These things I did write to you who are believing in the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that life ye have age-during, and that ye may believe in the name of the Son of God.
I have put these things in writing for you who have faith in the name of the Son of God, so that you may be certain that you have eternal life.
Cross References
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them …
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they …
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not …
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing …
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is …
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the …
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we …
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, …
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, …
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an …