Assurance of Eternal Life

The key word here is "Know" We know that we Know God (2:3) We know that we are in Mim (2:5) We know that when He shall appear we shall be Like Him (3:2) We know that we have passed from Death to life, because we love the Brethren. ( 3:14) We know that we are of the Truth (3:19) We know that God abideth in us ( 3:24) We know that we abide in God ( 4:13) These things have I written that you may know that you eternal life (5:13) We know that God hears us ( 5:15) We know that we are of God ( 5:19)

THE BELIEVER'S VICTORY

1 WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 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.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1Whosoeuer beleeueth that Iesus is the Christ, is borne of God: and euery one that loueth him that begate, loueth him also that is begotten of him.

2By this wee know that wee loue the children of God, when we loue God and keepe his commandements.

3For this is the loue of God, that we keepe his commandements, and his commandements are not grieuous.

4For whatsoeuer is borne of God, ouercommeth the world, and this is the victorie that ouercommeth the world, euen our faith.

5Who is he that ouercommeth the world, but he that beleeueth that Iesus is the Sonne of God?

6This is hee that came by water and blood, euen Iesus Christ, not by water onely, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse, because the Spirit is trueth.

7For there are three that beare record in heauen, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8And there are three that beare witnesse in earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood, and these three agree in one.

9If we receiue the witnesse of men, the witnesse of God is greater: for this is the witnesse of God, which hee hath testified of his Sonne.

10Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne of God, hath the witnesse in himselfe: he that beleeueth not God, hath made him a liar, because he beleeueth not the record that God gaue of his Sonne.

11And this is the record, that God hath giuen to vs eternall life, and this life is in his Sonne.

12Hee that hath the Sonne, hath life; and hee that hath not the Sonne, hath not life.

13These things haue I written vnto you that beleeue on the Name of the Sonne of God, that ye may know, that ye haue eternall life, and that yee may beleeue on the Name of the Sonne of God.

14And this is the confidence that we haue in him, that if wee aske any thing according to his will, hee heareth vs.

15And if we know that he heare vs, whatsoeuer wee aske, wee know that we haue the petitions that wee desired of him.

16If any man see his brother sinne a sinne which is not vnto death, hee shall aske, and he shall giue him life for them that sinne not vnto death. There is a sinne vnto death: I doe not say that he shall pray for it.

17All vnrighteousnes is sinne, and there is a sinne not vnto death.

18We know that whosoeuer is borne of God, sinneth not: but hee that is begotten of God, keepeth himselfe, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickednesse.

20And we know that the Sonne of God is come, and hath giuen vs an vnderstanding that wee may know him that is true: and wee are in him that is true, euen in his Sonne Iesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternall life.

21Little children, keepe your selues from Idoles. Amen.

I == John 1:12-13 ; 8:42 ; 15:23

III == Mic 6:8 ; Matt 11:30 ; John 14:15 ; 1st John 2:5 ; 2nd John v6

IV == John 16:33

V == 1st Cor 15:57 ; 1st John 4:15

VI == John 14:17 ; 15:26 ; 16:13 ; 19:34

VII == John 1:1 ; 10:30 ; Rev 19:13

VI -- VIII == John 19:34 ; 4:23 ; 15:26

IX == Matt 3:16-17 ; 17:5 ; John 5:32 , 36 ; 8:17-18

X == John 3:33 ; 5:38 ; 1st John 1:10

XI == John 1:4

XII == John 3:36 ; 5:24

XIV == 1st John 3:22

XVI == Job 42:8 ; Jer 7:16 ; 14:11 ; Matt 12:31-32 ; Mark 3:29 ; Luke 12:10 ; John 17:9

XVII == 1st John 3:4

XVIII == James 1:27 ; 1st peter 1:23 ; 1st John 3:9

XIX == Gal 1:4

XX == Isa 9:6 ; 44:6 ; 54:5 ; Luke 24:45 ; John 17:3 ; 20:28 ; Acts 20:28 ; Rom 9:5 ; 1st Tim 3:16 ; Titus 2:13 ; Heb 1:8 ; 1st John 5:11-13

XXI == 1st Cor 10:14

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. 7 So there are three that testify, 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord. 9 If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly. 18 We know that no one begotten by God sins; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the evil one cannot touch him. 19 We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one. 20 We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Children, be on your guard against idols.

COMMATARY

v 1-3 This chapter continues love, stresses faith, and makes further comparison between true believers and unbelievers. Anyone who trusts in Jesus as the Christ and  Messiah and Son of God is a born again child of God. Belief is not mere intellectual assent. Repentance involves change of view - intellect, feeling - emotion, and purpose - or will. Belief is proven by our conduct. There is a unity of love between the believer, Christ, the Father and other believers. The command to love is no more burdensome than the marriage vow to a couple who love one another. This does not refer to Moses commandments but to preach, witness, walk in light, not forsake assembling etc.
v 4,5.  True believers are born of God and are overcomers through their faith.
The victory is over [1] worldliness - moral temptations (anything which detracts from our prayer and fellowship and tends to make God’s commands seem grievous.) and [2] doctrinal error. Victory is assured, but the fight is continuous. John uses the term, overcome, many times in his gospel and letters. Paul says we are more than conquerors through Christ, Rom. 8:37.
v 6. Some think the blood and water refer to Christ’s pierced side. This has been widely disputed, but it seems that the water refers to Christ’s baptism, when He publicly identified Himself with sinners and the Father voiced His approval, Mat. 3:13-17.  The blood then refers to His death on the cross attested by miraculous signs. So we have a triune witness, His sinless life, His atoning death, and the witness of the Spirit. The witnesses are in agreement as required by Jewish law.
v 7. This verse is not in the original manuscripts and while it is true, it has been added.  Newer translations use the last line of verse 6 as verse 7, “And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth.”
v 8. This reaffirms the triune witness of v 6. Later translations shorten the verse to, “There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree,” as there is not a comparison of heaven and earth. I miss that double mention of the trinity, but quite truly, the new way is more accurate and nothing is lost by the omission. 
v 9. If men accept the witness of men, they should certainly accept the witness of God. Unbelief is not a matter of insufficient evidence.
v 10. Those who trust in God have divine testimony in themselves, but unbelievers who reject the triune witness are in effect calling God a liar.
v 11,12. God gives us eternal life in heaven through the Son. Those who don’t possess Him don’t have that heavenly life, and that is a sad fact.
v 13.  Those who have believed on Him possess Him and have that life, and that’s assurance. Original manuscripts do not have the ending, “and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God,”but it is true,  . If it was originally  there, it would mean we would believe more deeply.
v 14,15. We can have absolute confidence that God will answer our petitions, but maybe not in the way we wish. Limits for effective prayer include: 1 Jn. 5:14, Ask in His will; I Jn. 3:22, Keep His commandments; 1 Pet. 3:7, Right relationship between husbands and wives; James 4:3, Asking to fulfill our lusts; Mt. 6:5,6, Pride; 21:22, and Gal. 5:6, Lack of faith; Jn. 15:7 Abide in Him. Jn. 14:13, Ask in Christ’s name
v 16. Some equate the sin unto death with the unpardonable sin, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit or the rejection of Christ. However, the term “brother” would indicate in 1 John to be a fellow believer (In some other places it could refer to mankind in general). Death could refer to spiritual or physical death, but here must refer to physical death. Life could refer to eternal or physical life, but here must refer to physical life. Thus, if we see a believer committing sins we can intercede for him. But if he is continuing sin to the point the Lord may remove him from this life, we are not commanded to pray for him, neither are we forbidden.
v 17. While all wrongdoing is sin, some have not persisted to the point of risking death, and they may repent of those sins.
v 18. While all sin, it is certain that a true believer does not practice sin deliberately and habitually. God keeps us, so Satan can not lay hold on us even though without are fightings, within are fears, 2 Cor. 7:5.  A  Christian may be demonically influenced but cannot be demon possessed.
v 19. This book is full of confidence in things “we know”:
2:3 We have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.
2:5  The love of God is perfected in us if we keep His Word.
2:29 Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
3:2 When He appears we shall be like Him.
3:5 He appeared to take away sin.
3:14 We have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.
3:24; 4:13 He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us.
5:2 We love children of God when we love Him and keep commandments
5:13 We have eternal life.
5:15 He hears us whatever we ask. We have petitions  desired of Him.
5:18 Whether people are born of God by how they avoid habitual sin.
5:19 We are of God and the whole world lies in wickedness.  However, we recognize our sins by His commandments and His Son enables us to forsake them, all through the power of the Holy Spirit.
v 20. Another “we know”, Christ actually came into the world and gives us progressive understanding to know Him better and assurance of our abiding in Him. Jesus Christ the Messiah is one with the true God and life eternal. There are many verses referring to Jesus as the Truth.
v 21. John has said much about what is within, but here he makes a positive switch to that which is without. Not only avoid carved images as idols, but heretical teaching and anything else in our lives which would come between us and the Lord and take first place in our lives.