1 John 5:10
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.
1 John 5:10
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
This verse builds on the previous by addressing belief and its internal witness. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself” suggests that faith itself is a kind of internal testimony. Those who trust Jesus carry the Spirit’s witness within—the conviction that God’s record about Jesus is true. Conversely, those who disbelieve call God a liar because they reject the record God gave about his Son. In a Jewish-Christian milieu with competing declarations about who Jesus is, John underscores that belief has a personal, experiential dimension: faith is not merely intellectual assent but trust that activates life. The phrase “the witness in himself” points to the inner assurance given by the Holy Spirit to the believer, which authenticates the gospel to the heart.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
Key themes: faith as receptivity to divine testimony; the Spirit’s role in confirming truth to the believer; the seriousness of unbelief as accusing God of falsehood. The verse binds belief to truth-telling: to reject God’s record is to call God a liar, which has cosmic implications about truth, reality, and the integrity of God’s redemptive work in Christ. It also foreshadows the harmonious witness of God, the Spirit, and the believer—indicating unity in the triune witness to Jesus.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
For today, this verse invites self-examination: is your faith anchored in God’s testimony about Jesus? Do you experience the inner witness of the Spirit confirming truth when you read Scripture or hear the gospel preached? When doubts arise, return to God’s record about his Son and invite the Spirit to reinforce that conviction. It also warns against reducing faith to mere opinion or social acceptance; genuine faith rests on God’s truth, even when it’s unpopular. Practical steps: keep a journal of internal confirmations you sense from the Spirit, discuss doubts with mature believers, and practice prayerful discernment before embracing new ideas about Jesus.
**Cross-References**: John 5:33-34; John 8:46; 1:1-3; Romans 8:16; 2 Corinthians 13:5