1 John 5 in the early church

184 passages quote, allude to, or echo 1 John 5, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 14 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21

1 John 5:1

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:1Against Heresies 3.16.8 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
1 John 5:1Against Praxeas 28 · Tertullianallusion, high confidenceca. 213 or later
1 John 5:1Fragment 8 on John 1:13 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 226-254
1 John 5:1Commentary on John 19.154 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:1Commentary on John 20.285 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:1Commentary on Romans 4.1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
1 John 5:1Letter 1.8 · Alexander of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 319–324
1 John 5:1Catechetical Lecture 11.6 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
1 John 5:1On the Trinity 6.42 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
1 John 5:1On the Trinity 12.11 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
1 John 5:1On the Trinity 2 · Faustinusquotation, high confidenceca. 380–384
1 John 5:1Homilies on the First Epistle of John 10.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407
1 John 5:1Homilies on the First Epistle of John 10.2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407
1 John 5:1–2Homilies on the First Epistle of John 10.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407

1 John 5:2

By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:2–3On Saint Athanasius 2.16 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
1 John 5:2–3On Saint Athanasius 2.17 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
1 John 5:2Homilies on the First Epistle of John 10.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407
1 John 5:2On Grace and Free Will 17 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 426

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:3Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.5 (47.5) · Hermasecho, medium confidenceca. 100–150
1 John 5:3The Instructor 3.11.82 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
1 John 5:3Miscellanies 4.16.100 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
1 John 5:3Acts of Thomas 83 · Anonymousecho, low confidenceca. 200–250
1 John 5:3Question 117, section 7 · Ambrosiasterecho, low confidenceca. 370–384
1 John 5:3Homilies on the First Epistle of John 10.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407
1 John 5:3On Nature and Grace 83 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence415
1 John 5:3On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 21 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 415
1 John 5:3On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 22 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415
1 John 5:3On Grace and Free Will 17 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 426

1 John 5:4

because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:4Tractates on the Psalms 125.8 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–367
1 John 5:4Question 115, section 53 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–384
1 John 5:4Sermon 385.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
1 John 5:4Celestine, ACO I.2, letter 26.0 · Celestine I, bishop of Romeallusion, high confidence430-432
1 John 5:4Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 440-450

1 John 5:5

Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:5Question 126, section 2 · Ambrosiasterecho, low confidenceca. 370–384

1 John 5:6

This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:6–8Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Fr. 4 (On the Passover) · Claudius Apollinaris of Hierapolisallusion, medium confidenceca. 165-180
1 John 5:6–8Adumbrations on 1 John, paragraph 11 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceoriginal ca. 200; Latin translation 6th century
1 John 5:6Against Heresies 3.24.1 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
1 John 5:6On Baptism 16 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 198–206
1 John 5:6–8On Rebaptism 15 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 250–258 (disputed)

1 John 5:7

For there are three that testify:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:7–8On the Unity of the Catholic Church 6 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, medium confidence251
1 John 5:7Against the Arians 22 · Phoebadius of Agenallusion, low confidenceca. 357-358
1 John 5:7Eleven Tractates 1.4 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
1 John 5:7On the Trinity 4.20 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 399–419

1 John 5:8

the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:8Commentary on John 6.224 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:8Homilies on Leviticus 8.10 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:8Letter 73.12 · Cyprian of Carthageecho, low confidence249/250–258
1 John 5:8On Rebaptism 19 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 250–258 (disputed)
1 John 5:8Theological Oration 5 (Or. 31), On the Holy Spirit 19 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidence380
1 John 5:8Eleven Tractates 1.4 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
1 John 5:8On the Mysteries 4 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387–391
1 John 5:8Sermon 5.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
1 John 5:8Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 10 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430
1 John 5:8Instructions 1.2 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 428-434
1 John 5:8–9Part 3, chapter 25 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

1 John 5:9

Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:9Against Praxeas 31 · Tertullianallusion, high confidenceca. 213 or later
1 John 5:9On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 1.42 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence411–412

1 John 5:10

Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:10Question 110, section 16 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–384
1 John 5:10On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 1.42 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence411–412

1 John 5:11

And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:11Against the Arians 13 · Phoebadius of Agenquotation, high confidenceca. 357-358
1 John 5:11On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 1.42 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence411–412
1 John 5:11Commonitorium 14 · Marius Mercatorquotation, high confidence429-431

1 John 5:12

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:12Against Praxeas 31 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 213 or later
1 John 5:12Eleven Tractates 1.5 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
1 John 5:12On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 1.42 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence411–412
1 John 5:12Commonitorium 14 · Marius Mercatorquotation, high confidence429-431

1 John 5:14

And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:14Adumbrations on 1 John, paragraph 11 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceoriginal ca. 200; Latin translation 6th century
1 John 5:14The Conferences 9.34 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

1 John 5:16

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:16Miscellanies 2.15.66 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
1 John 5:16On Modesty 2 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 210–220
1 John 5:16On Modesty 19 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 210–220
1 John 5:16Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 397 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
1 John 5:16PG 12:1061 · Origenallusion, low confidenceca. 220-254
1 John 5:16PG 12:1189 (Ps 9 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
1 John 5:16Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.21 · Hippolytus of Romeecho, medium confidenceca. 222–235
1 John 5:16Commentary on John 19.79 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:16Commentary on John 19.80 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:16Commentary on John 19.84 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:16Commentary on John 19.153 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:16On Prayer 28.10 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
1 John 5:16Homilies on Exodus 10.3 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:16Homilies on Leviticus 4.5 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:16Homilies on Leviticus 5.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:16Homilies on Leviticus 8.7 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:16Homilies on Leviticus 11.2 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:16Homilies on Leviticus 12.6 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:16Homilies on Jeremiah 2.2 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 240
1 John 5:16Commentary on Matthew 13.30 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 246–248
1 John 5:16Letters 198, 199 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 357–378
1 John 5:16Homilies on the Psalms 114.2 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 360-378
1 John 5:16Tractates on the Psalms 140.8 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
1 John 5:16Three Letters to Sympronianus 3.16 · Pacian of Barcelonaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-390
1 John 5:16Homilies 13.4 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 363-378
1 John 5:16Commentary on Ephesians 6:18–20 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–384
1 John 5:16Letter 119.7 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
1 John 5:16The Lord's Sermon on the Mount 1.22 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 393–396
1 John 5:16Against Jovinianus 2.30 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
1 John 5:16Letter 17, chapter 7 · Innocent I, bishop of Romeecho, low confidence401–417
1 John 5:16–17Commentary on Jeremiah 3.33 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 414-419
1 John 5:16Retractations 1.18 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence426-427
1 John 5:16The Conferences 11.9 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
1 John 5:16The Conferences 20.8 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
1 John 5:16On Rebuke and Grace 12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 427
1 John 5:16Instructions 1.3 · Eucherius of Lyonallusion, high confidenceca. 428-434

1 John 5:17

All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:17Miscellanies 2.15.66 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
1 John 5:17Miscellanies 2.15.67 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
1 John 5:17On Modesty 19 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 210–220
1 John 5:17Homilies on Exodus 10.3 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:17Explanation of Twelve Psalms 35.6.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-397

1 John 5:18

We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:18On Modesty 19 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 210–220
1 John 5:18Commentary on John 20.121 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:18Commentary on John 20.122 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:18Commentary on John 20.337 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
1 John 5:18Tractates on Matthew 14.1 · Chromatius of Aquileiaquotation, high confidenceca. 388–407
1 John 5:18Against Jovinianus 2.1 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
1 John 5:18On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 39 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415
1 John 5:18Sermon 156 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450
1 John 5:18The Conferences 11.9 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

1 John 5:19

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:19–20Adumbrations on 1 John, paragraph 11 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceoriginal ca. 200; Latin translation 6th century
1 John 5:19On First Principles 1.5.5 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
1 John 5:19On First Principles 2.3.6 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
1 John 5:19Fragments on Genesis, column 89 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
1 John 5:19Homilies on Joshua 6.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:19Homilies on Numbers 12.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
1 John 5:19Commentary on Romans 3.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
1 John 5:19Fragment E V (on Luke 22:42 ff.) · Dionysius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 248–265
1 John 5:19Res. 2.15 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
1 John 5:19Res. 2.16 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
1 John 5:19Acta Archelai (Latin) 16 · Hegemoniusquotation, high confidenceearly to mid 4th century (Greek original)
1 John 5:19Homilies on the Psalms 33.9 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
1 John 5:19On Virginity 12 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 370–371
1 John 5:19Letter 55.1 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
1 John 5:19Letter 108.1 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
1 John 5:19On the Lord's Prayer 1191 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 380–394
1 John 5:19Eleven Tractates 4.75 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
1 John 5:19On the Life of Moses 419 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 385–395
1 John 5:19Exposition of Psalm 118 12.47.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
1 John 5:19Exposition of Psalm 118 13.16.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
1 John 5:19Letter 93.32 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
1 John 5:19Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.32.4 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
1 John 5:19Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.76.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
1 John 5:19Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.8.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
1 John 5:19Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.74.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
1 John 5:19Against Jovinianus 1.13 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence393
1 John 5:19Letters 13.6 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
1 John 5:19Commentary on Jeremiah 5.46 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 414-419
1 John 5:19Commentary on Jeremiah 5.61 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 414-419
1 John 5:19Commentary on Jeremiah 6.40 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 414-419
1 John 5:19Instructions 1.4 · Eucherius of Lyonallusion, high confidenceca. 428-434
1 John 5:19–20Book 1, chapter 20 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 440-450
1 John 5:19On the Governance of God 4.32 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 439-451

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:20Oration III Against the Arians 9 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346
1 John 5:20Oration III Against the Arians 19 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346
1 John 5:20Oration IV Against the Arians 26 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidence4th century (disputed)
1 John 5:20To the Bishops of Egypt 13 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 356
1 John 5:20On the Trinity 6.43 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
1 John 5:20On the Trinity 6.46 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 356–360
1 John 5:20Letters to Serapion 2.4 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 357–360
1 John 5:20To Constantius 11.1 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidence360
1 John 5:20Letter to the Africans 5 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 369
1 John 5:20Question 91, section 5 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 370–384
1 John 5:20Question 97, section 1 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
1 John 5:20On the Christian Faith 1.17 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 378–380
1 John 5:20On the Trinity 2 · Faustinusquotation, high confidenceca. 380–384
1 John 5:20Section 20 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence3 September 381
1 John 5:20Sermon 140.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
1 John 5:20Sermon 140.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
1 John 5:20Against Faustus the Manichaean 5.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
1 John 5:20Against Faustus the Manichaean 15.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
1 John 5:20On the Trinity 1.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–419
1 John 5:20On the Trinity 1.11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
1 John 5:20On the Trinity 1.12 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
1 John 5:20Tractates on the Gospel of John 26.10 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420
1 John 5:20City of God 12.17 · Augustine of Hippoecho, medium confidence413–426
1 John 5:20Apologetic Book 17.9 · Orosiusallusion, medium confidenceca. 415–416
1 John 5:20On the Grace of Christ and On Original Sin 2.32 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence418
1 John 5:20Book 2, chapter 15 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 440-450
1 John 5:20Sermon on the Barbarian Time 3 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 437-450

1 John 5:21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
1 John 5:21On the Crown 10 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence211
1 John 5:21Canons of Hippolytus, canon 30 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence4th century
1 John 5:21Book of Rules 6 · Tyconiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380
1 John 5:21Letter 102.19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
1 John 5:21On the Catholic Way of Life and the Manichaean Way of Life 1.21 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 387–389
1 John 5:21On True Religion 49 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 389–391
1 John 5:21Against Jovinianus 2.2 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393