KJV: If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
YLT: If the testimony of men we receive, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that He hath testified concerning His Son.
Darby: If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God which he has witnessed concerning his Son.
ASV: If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.
| μαρτυρίαν | testimony |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: μαρτυρία Sense: a testifying. |
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| τῶν | - |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| ἀνθρώπων | of men |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ἄνθρωπος Sense: a human being, whether male or female. |
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| λαμβάνομεν | we receive |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural Root: λαμβάνω Sense: to take. |
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| μαρτυρία | testimony |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: μαρτυρία Sense: a testifying. |
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| τοῦ | - |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Θεοῦ | of God |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| μείζων | greater |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular, Comparative Root: μέγας Sense: great. |
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| αὕτη | this |
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Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: οὗτος Sense: this. |
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| ὅτι | that |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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| μεμαρτύρηκεν | He has testified |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: μαρτυρέω Sense: to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration. |
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| περὶ | concerning |
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Parse: Preposition Root: περί Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near. |
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| Υἱοῦ | Son |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: υἱός Sense: a son. |
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| αὐτοῦ | of Him |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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Greek Commentary for 1 John 5:9
Condition of first class with ει ei and the present active indicative, assumed as true. The conditions for a legally valid witness are laid down in Deuteronomy 19:15 (cf. Matthew 18:16; John 8:17.; John 10:25; 2 Corinthians 13:1). [source]
Comparative of μεγας megas because God is always true.For (οτι hoti). So it applies to this case.That Thus taken in the declarative sense (the fact that) as in John 3:19, though it can be causal (because) or indefinite relative with μεμαρτυρηκεν memarturēken (what he hath testified, perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō as in John 1:32; John 4:44, etc.), a harsh construction here because of μαρτυρια marturia though some MSS. do read εν hen to agree with it (cf. 1 John 5:10). See οτι εαν hoti ean in 1 John 3:20 for that idiom. Westcott notes the Trinity in 1 John 5:6-9: the Son comes, the Spirit witnesses, the Father has witnessed. [source]
So it applies to this case. [source]
Thus taken in the declarative sense (the fact that) as in John 3:19, though it can be causal (because) or indefinite relative with μεμαρτυρηκεν memarturēken (what he hath testified, perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō as in John 1:32; John 4:44, etc.), a harsh construction here because of μαρτυρια marturia though some MSS. do read εν hen to agree with it (cf. 1 John 5:10). See οτι εαν hoti ean in 1 John 3:20 for that idiom. Westcott notes the Trinity in 1 John 5:6-9: the Son comes, the Spirit witnesses, the Father has witnessed. [source]
The indicative mood, assuming such reception as a fact. If we receive, as we do. On the verb receive, see on John 3:32. [source]
Supply mentally, and therefore we should receive that. [source]
Not explaining why it is greater, but why the principle of the superior greatness of divine testimony should apply and be appealed to in this case. Supply mentally, and this applies in the case before us, for, etc. [source]
The best texts read ὅτι thator because. Render that. This is the witness of God, even the fact that, etc. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 5:9
Once only John uses δέχομαι for receive, of the Galilaeans receiving Christ (John 4:45). The distinction between the two is not sharply maintained, but δέχομαι commonly adds to the idea of taking, that of welcoming. Thus Demosthenes says that the Theban elders did not receive ( ἐδέξαντο ) i.e., with a welcome pleasure, the money which was offered them, nor did they take it ( ἔλαβον ). Λαμβάνει also includes the retaining of what is taken. Hence of receiving Christ (John 1:12; John 5:43; John 13:20). The phrase receive the witness is peculiar to John (John 3:11; John 5:34; 1 John 5:9). [source]
The following. This use of the pronoun, calling the reader's attention to what follows, and preparing him for it, is frequent in John. Sometimes the pronoun carries the sense of quality: of this character. See John 3:19; John 15:12; 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:9, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:14. [source]
“But I do not receive the witness” simply from a man (like John). The εγω egō (I) in sharp contrast with υμεις humeis (ye) of John 5:33. Jesus complained of Nicodemus for not accepting his witness (John 3:11). Cf. also John 3:32. In 1 John 5:9 the witness of God is greater than that of men and this Jesus has. That ye may be saved Final clause with ινα hina and first aorist passive subjunctive of σωζω sōzō This was the purpose of Christ‘s coming, that the world might be saved (John 3:17). [source]
Εκεινος Ekeinos (that one; cf. John 5:35, John 5:38), not αυτος autos Perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō the direct witness of the Father, besides the indirect witness of the works. Jesus is not speaking of the voice of the Father at his baptism (Mark 1:11), the transfiguration (Mark 9:7), nor even at the time of the visit of the Greeks (John 12:28). This last voice was heard by many who thought it was thunder or an angel. The language of Jesus refers to the witness of the Father in the heart of the believers as is made plain in 1 John 5:9, 1 John 5:10. God‘s witness does not come by audible “voice” Cf. John 1:18; John 6:46; 1 John 4:12. Ακηκοατε Akēkoate is perfect active indicative of ακουω akouō to hear, and εωρακατε heōrakate is perfect active indicative of οραω horaō to see. It is a permanent state of failure to hear and see God. The experience of Jacob in Peniel (Genesis 32:30) was unusual, but Jesus will say that those who have seen him have seen the Father (John 14:9), but here he means the Father‘s “voice” and “form” as distinct from the Son. [source]
Lit., and the Spirit is that which is bearing witness. Note the present tense, beareth witness, and compare 1 John 5:9, hath born witness. The witness is present and continuous in the Church, in the sacraments for instance, in water and in blood. Witnessing is the peculiar office of the Spirit. See John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:8sqq. See on John 1:7. [source]
Omit Christ. The human name, Jesus, shows that His blood is available for man. The divine name, His Son, shows that it is efficacious. I shall be rendering a service to students of John's Epistles by giving, in a condensed form, Canon Westcott's note, classifying the several names of our Lord and their uses in the Epistles. The name in John, as in the Bible elsewhere, has two distinct, but closely connected meanings. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 1. The Revelation of the Divine Being by a special title. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. The whole sum of the manifold revelations gathered up so as to form one supreme revelation. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The latter sense is illustrated in 3 John 1:7, where “the name” absolutely includes the essential elements of the Christian creed, the complete revelation of Christ's work in relation to God and man. Compare John 20:31; Acts 5:41. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- In 1 John 2:12, the term is more limited, referring to Christ as He lived on earth and gave Himself for “the brethren.” In 1 John 3:23; 1 John 5:13, the exact sense is defined by what follows. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Actual Names Used. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (I.) His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 5:20. The divine antecedent is differently described in each case, and the difference colors the phrase. In 1 John 1:2-3, the Father (compare 1John href="/desk/?q=1jo+3:23&sr=1">1 John 3:23, God. In 1 John 5:20, He that is true. Thus the sonship of Christ is regarded in relation to God as Father, as God, and as satisfying the divine ideal which man is able to form. The whole phrase, His Son Jesus Christ, includes the two elements of the confessions which John makes prominent. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 1. Jesus is the Son of God (John 4:15; John 5:5). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. Jesus is the Christ (John 2:22; John 5:1). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The constituents of the compressed phrase are all used separately by John. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (1.) Jesus. 1 John 2:22; 1 John 5:1; 1 John 4:3(where the correct reading omits Christ). The thought is that of the Lord in His perfect historic humanity. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (2.) Christ. 2 John 1:9. Pointing to the preparation made under the old covenant. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (3). Jesus Christ. 1 John 2:1; 1 John 5:6; 2 John 1:7. Combining the ideas of true humanity and messianic position. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- In 1 John 4:15, the reading is doubtful: Jesus or Jesus Christ. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- On 1 John 4:2, see note. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (4.) The Son. 1 John 2:22, 1 John 2:23, 1 John 2:24; 1 John 4:14; 1 John 5:12. The absolute relation of Sonship to Fatherhood. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (5.) The Son of God. 1 John 3:8; 1 John 5:10, 1 John 5:12, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:20. Compare His Son (1 John 4:10; 1 John 5:9), where the immediate antecedent is ὁ Θεός Godand 1 John 5:18, He that was begotten of God. Combination of the ideas of Christ's divine dignity and divine sonship. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (6.) Jesus His (God's) Son. 1 John 1:7. Two truths. The blood of Christ is available and efficacious. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- (7). His (God's) Son, His only Son. 1 John 4:9. The uniqueness of the gift is the manifestation of love. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The Son in various forms is eminently characteristic of the First and Second Epistles, in which it occurs more times than in all Paul's Epistles. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Κύριος Lordis not found in the Epistles (omit from 2 John 1:3), but occurs in the Gospel, and often in Revelation. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The expression, the blood of Jesus His Son, is chosen with a profound insight. Though Ignatius uses the phrase blood of God yet the word blood is inappropriate to the Son conceived in His divine nature. The word Jesus brings out His human nature, in which He assumed a real body of flesh and blood, which blood was shed for us.Cleanseth ( καθαρίζει )See on Mark 7:19. Not only forgives but removes. Compare Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:13sq.; Hebrews 9:22sq.; Ephesians 5:26sq.; Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:3. Compare also 1 John 1:9, where, forgive ( ἀφῇ ) and cleanse ( καθαρίσῃ ) occur, with an obvious difference of meaning. Note the present tense cleanseth. The cleansing is present and continuous. Alexander (Bishop of Derry) cites a striking passage from Victor Hugo (“Le Parricide”). The usurper Canute, who has had a share in his father's death, expiring after a virtuous and glorious reign, walks towards the light of heaven. But first he cuts with his sword a shroud of snow from the top of Mt. Savo. As he advances towards heaven, a cloud forms, and drop by drop his shroud is soaked with a rain of blood.All sin ( πάσης ἁμαρτίας )The principle of sin in all its forms and manifestations; not the separate manifestations. Compare all joy (James 1:2); all patience (2 Corinthians 7:12); all wisdom (Ephesians 1:8); all diligence (2 Peter 1:5). [source]
“In himself,” though the evidence is not decisive between αυτωι hautōi and αυτωι autōi made Perfect active indicative of ποιεω poieō like μεμαρτυρηκεν memarturēken and πεπιστευκεν pepisteuken permanent state.A liar (πσευστην pseustēn). As in 1 John 1:10, which see.Because he hath not believed Actual negative reason with negative ου ou not the subjective reason as in John 3:18, where we have οτι μη πεπιστευκεν hoti mē pepisteuken). The subjective negative is regular with ο μη πιστευων ho mē pisteuōn Relative clause here repeats close of 1 John 5:9. [source]
Actual negative reason with negative ου ou not the subjective reason as in John 3:18, where we have οτι μη πεπιστευκεν hoti mē pepisteuken). The subjective negative is regular with ο μη πιστευων ho mē pisteuōn Relative clause here repeats close of 1 John 5:9. [source]