Section 5:13–21

We can be sure that we have eternal life

Read 5:13–21 carefully.

Section Theme: John ends his letter by reassuring his readers that they do have eternal life and that they do truly know God.

Paragraph 5:13–17

Read 5:13–17 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: John reminds his readers that because they have eternal life they can have confidence when they ask God for anything. Praying for other Christians who are sinning is an example of this.

5:13 (Focus)

This verse is a summary of John’s purpose in writing this letter. In it he focuses on two things: firstly that his readers must believe in Jesus, and secondly that they should not doubt that they have eternal life.

5:13a

these things: (Pronoun Reference) John is referring back to all the things he has written in this letter.

believe in the name: (Biblical Term) As in 3:23b, this means believing or trusting Jesus’ authority and character as God’s Son.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.