A reflection on 1 John 5:6-12.
John has just communicated that salvation comes through faith in Jesus as the Son of God. But who is this Jesus? In the Hebrew tradition, truth is determined by two or three witnesses. John provides three witness: water, blood and Spirit. The Spirit is relatively easy to understand, but what is the reference to the water and the blood? Some have thought of this as a reference to the sacraments of baptism and communion. Others have thought that it was speaking of the spear thrust when Jesus was on the cross. More likely, it is pointing to two of the major events in Jesus’ life which are his baptism and crucifixion.
Why speak of the baptism and crucifixion? Throughout this letter, John has been dealing with some gnostic tendencies in the church. The gnostics believed that flesh was evil and spirit was good. They tried to create a Jesus who was all spirit and completely non-human. The baptism and the crucifixion were two of the most human events in his life. Having these human events testifying along with the Spirit, reinforces John’s teaching about the incarnation.
What about the trinity? In the King James Version, we find this verse, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7 KJV) That would be a very helpful biblical proof for the trinity. Unfortunately, it does not belong in 1 John. It is not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts and is likely a later addition by a well meaning Christian.
There are human testimonies about Jesus and they are useful, but the testimony of God is much greater. What is the testimony of God toward his Son? Those who have the Son, have life. This continues a theme from the Gospel of John. Eternal life does not begin the second after you die. Eternal life begins when you put your faith in Jesus. Eternal life is not just about quantity, it is about quality. How do we know that Jesus is who we say he is? When we put our faith in Jesus, we are given new life. This is the testimony of God.
- 1 John
- Eternal Life
- Gospel of John
- John
