[a]For all that is born of God, overcometh this world: [b]and this is that victory that [c]hath overcome this world even our [d]faith.

(A)[e]Who is it that overcometh this world, but he which believeth that Jesus is that Son of God?

[f]This is that Jesus Christ that came by water and blood: [g]not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is that [h]Spirit that beareth witness: for that Spirit is truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 5:4 A reason: Because by regeneration we have gotten strength to overcome the world, that is to say, whatsoever striveth against the commandments of God.
  2. 1 John 5:4 He declareth what that strength is, to wit, Faith.
  3. 1 John 5:4 He useth the time that is past to give us to understanding, that although we be in the battle, yet undoubtedly we shall be conquerors, and are most certain of the victory.
  4. 1 John 5:4 Which is the instrumental cause, and as a mean and hand whereby we lay hold on him who indeed doth perform this, that is, hath and doth overcome the world, Even Christ Jesus.
  5. 1 John 5:5 Moreover he declareth two things, the one what true faith is, to wit, that which resteth upon Jesus Christ the Son of God alone: whereupon followeth the other, to wit, that this strength is not proper to faith, but by faith as an instrument is drawn from Jesus Christ the Son of God.
  6. 1 John 5:6 He proveth the excellency of Christ, in whom only all things are given us by six witnesses, three heavenly, and three earthly, which wholly and fully agree together. The heavenly witnesses are: the Father who sent the Son, the word itself which became flesh, and the holy Ghost. The earthly witnesses are, water, (that is, our sanctification) blood, (that is, our justification) the Spirit, (that is, acknowledge of God the Father in Christ by faith through the testimony of the holy Ghost.)
  7. 1 John 5:6 He warneth us not to separate water from blood, (that is, sanctification from justification, or righteousness begun, from righteousness imputed) for we stand not upon sanctification but so far forth as it is a witness of Christ’s righteousness imputed unto us: and although this imputation of Christ’s righteousness be never separated from sanctification, yet it is only the matter of our salvation.
  8. 1 John 5:6 Our spirit, which is the third witness, testifies that the holy Ghost is truth; that is to say, that that is true which he telleth us, to wit, that we are the sons of God.

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