1 John 5 4

1 John 5:4 kjv

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4 nkjv

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world?our faith.

1 John 5:4 niv

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4 esv

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world ? our faith.

1 John 5:4 nlt

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

1 John 5 verses

1 John 5 4 Meaning

1 John 5:4 succinctly presents the truth that every individual truly born of God possesses an inherent power to overcome the system of the world. This spiritual birth empowers believers to triumph over the world's influences, temptations, and philosophies that stand opposed to God. The means by which this victory is accomplished and actualized is through faith. It is not by human strength or merit, but through steadfast belief in Christ and reliance on Him, that believers secure definitive triumph.

1 John 5 4 Context

First John is written by the Apostle John, likely in the late first century (c. AD 85-95). The primary context of the letter is John's address to specific issues facing the early Christian community, particularly the rise of false teachings known as proto-Gnosticism or secessionist doctrines. These errors often denied the true humanity of Jesus (docetism) or separated Christ (the divine Spirit) from Jesus (the human man). They promoted a system where 'secret knowledge' was superior to practical obedience and moral conduct, leading to a disregard for sin and the law of love.

Within Chapter 5, John emphasizes the assurance of salvation and the divine testimony. He reiterates core themes from the epistle: God is love, light, and life. The one who loves God must love fellow believers (1 Jn 4:7-12, 1 Jn 5:1-2) and obey His commandments (1 Jn 5:3). This leads directly into 1 John 5:4, explaining how this love and obedience are possible amidst a hostile world. The verse confirms that spiritual birth from God gives the believer the ability to live righteously and love genuinely, conquering the influences of the world system that pull against these divine attributes. It sets up the question of verse 5, identifying who precisely overcomes the world – the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5 4 Word analysis

• For whatever (Ὅτι πᾶν - hoti pan): This opening conjunction "hoti" serves as an explanation or justification for the preceding statement (1 Jn 5:3 - that His commandments are not burdensome). "Pan" means "all," "every," emphasizing the universality among true believers.
• is born of God (γεγεννημένον ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ - gegennēmenon ek tou Theou): "gegennēmenon" is a perfect passive participle of "gennaō," meaning "to beget," "to give birth to." The perfect tense signifies a past completed action with continuing results. This points to the irreversible and eternal nature of spiritual regeneration by God, not human effort. "Ek tou Theou" (from God) highlights God as the ultimate source of this spiritual birth. This new spiritual life is what imparts the capacity to overcome.
• overcomes (νικᾷ - nika): Present active indicative of "nikaō," meaning "to conquer," "to be victorious," "to triumph over." The present tense indicates a continuous state of overcoming or an ongoing activity. It's not a one-time event, but a continuous characteristic of the one born of God. This active victory is the consequence and evidence of being born of God.
• the world (τὸν κόσμον - ton kosmon): Refers to the corrupted human system or culture apart from God. This includes its philosophies, values, temptations, and authorities (spiritual and otherwise) that oppose Christ and His followers (Jn 15:18-19, 1 Jn 2:15-17). It's the anti-God cosmos that demands conformity.
• and this is (καὶ αὕτη ἐστίν - kai hautē estin): Connects the previous statement to its direct explanation. "Hautē" (this) refers back to the victory over the world just mentioned.
• the victory (ἡ νίκη - hē nikē): The noun form of "nikaō." It is the achieved triumph or conquest. This confirms the certain outcome for the one who overcomes. The definitive nature of this triumph.
• that has overcome (ἡ νικήσασα - hē nikēsas): An aorist active participle, indicating a decisive, completed action. While "overcomes" (νικᾷ) denotes an ongoing state, this phrase "has overcome" points to the inherent power and decisive nature of the victory secured at the moment of genuine faith or spiritual birth. It emphasizes the foundational, decisive triumph of faith that undergirds ongoing overcoming.
• the world (τὸν κόσμον - ton kosmon): Same meaning as above. The consistent focus is on triumphing over this particular adversary.
• —our faith. (ἡ πίστις ἡμῶν - hē pistis hēmōn): "Hē pistis" means "the faith" or "our faith." "Hēmōn" (our) explicitly links this conquering faith to believers. Faith is not merely belief in something, but active trust and allegiance to Christ that manifests in obedience and love. It is the instrumental cause and active principle of this world-overcoming victory. This is the crucial point for the verse, defining the mechanism of victory.

1 John 5 4 Bonus section

The victory described is a multifaceted one: it's victory over the temptations of the flesh (pride, lust), over the philosophies and lies of the secular anti-Christian system, and ultimately over the "wicked one" (Satan) who influences the world (1 Jn 2:13; 1 Jn 4:4). This overcoming is thus moral, intellectual, and spiritual. Furthermore, the perfect passive tense "is born" (γεγεννημένον) suggests that this victory is rooted in an event (the new birth) that is initiated and completed by God, highlighting divine agency rather than human effort. Our part is "faith," which is a response and reliance. The shift from "overcomes" (present tense, ongoing action) to "has overcome" (aorist participle, decisive triumph) shows a dynamic truth: believers are currently engaged in a conquering process because their faith is built upon Christ's definitive victory that has already happened.

1 John 5 4 Commentary

1 John 5:4 clarifies the essence and means of the Christian life in relation to the pervasive influence of the fallen world. Being "born of God" signifies a divine impartation of life, a spiritual transformation that fundamentally changes one's nature and alignment. This new birth provides the spiritual DNA, enabling an intrinsic capacity to overcome the "kosmos"—the world system that operates in opposition to God's will and truth. This overcoming is not just a passive resistance but an active, continuous victory. It's not a fight of human will or moral striving, but an outworking of God's power through the regenerated spirit.

The means of this victory is decisively identified as "our faith." This "faith" is not a mere intellectual assent but a profound trust, loyalty, and reliance on Jesus Christ and His work. It's a living, dynamic faith that looks to Christ as the victor over the world (Jn 16:33) and appropriates His victory. It is faith that recognizes the supremacy of God's truth over worldly philosophies, God's power over worldly allurements, and God's love over worldly hatred. This faith has already secured the decisive victory over the world, even though believers continue to engage in an ongoing struggle. This powerful verse offers profound assurance: if you are born of God, you will overcome, because your victory is rooted not in yourself, but in your faith in the triumphant Christ.