Visits: 461 | Category: Eternity | Priority: NORMAL | Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2009
5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is arriving and He has given to us insight so that we may recognize the True One, and we are in the True One–in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God and eternal life.”
The final “we know” regards Christ Jesus. He comes and gives insight, and He is the true God and eternal life. This one verse is a rich study in Christology! Regarding the “coming” part, the Greek word literally means that He is continually becoming or arriving, but must English translations render it in the past tense, “has come.”
Throughout his letter, John has portrayed Christ as one who “has been from the beginning” (1:1, 2:14), who was “sent” by the Father (4:9, 4:10, 4:14), was “revealed” in the past (1:2, 3:5, 3:8), “came” as a man on earth (4:2, 5:6), “sent” His Spirit to be with us now, and will “come” again (2:28) to be “revealed” in the future (3:2).
Perhaps that is why John uses the present tense “is arriving” here, because Jesus is coming and going throughout all of history, from the beginning of creation to the distant past of Old Testament theophanies, to the Incarnation described in the Gospels, to His indwelling Spirit today, and in the future, His coming in glory!
This one who “comes” also “gives” gifts to us. John has already mentioned that Jesus has “given” us His spirit (2:27, 3:24, 4:2, 4:13), and that He has given us eternal life (5:11, etc.). Now in this verse, Jesus “has given us insight.” Pershbacher expands on this word for insight: “thought, intention, mind, understanding, imagination, comprehension.” We know what we believe; it is not some mystic mish-mash.
“The anointing which you have received from Him… teaches you about all things and is true…” (2:27 NASV). Calvin notes here that it was Christ’s life and teachings that gave us much more understanding about God and His ways.
And why did Jesus give us this insight? For two reasons:
1. That we may know that Jesus is God, and
2. That we may know that we are in relationship with God.
Concerning Reason #1, the verse says “that we may know/recognize the true one… Jesus Christ; this is the true God.” How much more plain can it be that Jesus Christ is God?! The word for “true” here, despite Clark’s assertions to the contrary (167), connotes “genuine” rather than “truth-telling.” This is the sterling/real God, not the twisted notion of God that the antichrists preach. (Calvin, Thayer, Pershbacher).
Concerning Reason #2, the verse says, “…we are in the true one–in His Son Jesus Christ. This is… eternal life.” Calvin comments that it is through being in Christ that we are in God and have eternal life. “He who has the son has the life” (5:12).
This recaps the many places where John has discussed our status of being “in God” (2:5, 2:24, 2:27, 2:29, 3:6, 3:24, 4:13, 4:15, 4:16). So, the conclusion of John’s letter is that since we know Jesus, we have assurance of eternal life! What a glorious knowledge to have, that we are in right relationship with the True and Living God!
By Nate Wilson.
