1 John 5:20 is a verse in the New Testament that has been the subject of theological debate, particularly regarding whether “the true God” mentioned in the verse refers to Jesus Christ or to God the Father.
Main Interpretations
1. Referring to God the Father
Some scholars and theologians interpret “the true God” as referring to God the Father. They argue that the verse distinguishes between “him who is true” (the Father) and “his Son Jesus Christ.” In this interpretation, the phrase “he is the true God and eternal life” points back to God the Father. This view is consistent with the broader biblical theme that God the Father is often referred to as “the true God” (e.g., John 17:3).
2. Referring to Jesus Christ
Other scholars and theologians believe that “the true God” in this verse refers to Jesus Christ. They argue that the immediate antecedent is “Jesus Christ,” and thus the phrase “he is the true God and eternal life” directly refers to Jesus. This interpretation is supported by the structure of the sentence and the immediate context, which emphasizes Jesus’ role in providing eternal life.
| For God the Father | For Jesus Christ |
|---|---|
| “Him who is true” typically refers to the Father (John 17:3). | “Jesus Christ” is the immediate grammatical antecedent of “He”. |
| The verse distinguishes between “him who is true” and “his Son.” | “Eternal life” is a title frequently associated with Jesus in John’s writings. |
| Theological tradition often reserves “true God” for the Father. | Early Christian confessions consistently align with Jesus’ divine nature. |
Examining the Greek Grammar
In examining the Greek grammar and context of 1 John 5:20, we can gain insights into whether “the true God” refers to Jesus Christ or to God the Father.
Breaking down the Greek text:
- “ton alêthinon” (the true one) appears twice: once in reference to “ginôskômen ton alêthinon” (we may know him who is true), and then “en tôi alêthinôi” (in him who is true).
- “houtos” (this one) is a pronoun that can refer to the nearest antecedent.
In this context, “houtos” (this one) could grammatically refer to “Iêsou Christôi” (Jesus Christ), the nearest antecedent. Therefore, from a purely grammatical perspective, the phrase “houtos estin ho alêthinos Theos kai zôê aiônios” most naturally refers to Jesus Christ.
The Credibility of the Scholars
Irenaeus of Lyons: A native Greek speaker who wrote primarily in Greek. His understanding of the language was profound and native.
Augustine of Hippo: Primarily a Latin scholar who admitted to struggling with Greek. While a brilliant theologian, he was not a Greek linguist in the same way Irenaeus was.
“For no one can know the Father, unless through the Word of God, that is, unless by the Son revealing Him…”
