Assurance of Eternal Life and Confidence in Prayer
John writes so believers may know they have eternal life and approach God with confidence in prayer, especially regarding sin within the community.
1 John 5:13-17 (BSB)
13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.
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.
17 All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.
What is the big idea of 1 John 5:13-17?
John writes so believers may know they have eternal life and approach God with confidence in prayer, especially regarding sin within the community.
How does 1 John 5:13-17 point to Christ?
Eternal life is granted to those who believe in the name of the Son of God. This life produces confident access to the Father in prayer, grounded not in personal merit but in Christ’s finished work and ongoing advocacy.
Authorial Intent
To secure assurance of eternal life in those who believe in the Son of God and to instruct them on confident, discerning intercessory prayer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing you have eternal life shape your prayer life?
- What does praying according to God’s will look like practically?
- How can you intercede faithfully for someone struggling with sin?
- Why is it important to distinguish between assurance and presumption?
Chapter: 1 John 5
Faith in the Son, Victory over the World, and Assurance of Eternal Life
Those born of God overcome the world by faith in Jesus the Son of God, possess eternal life in him, pray with confidence, and guard themselves from idols.