A deduction from the preceding clause. If the Son has the life in Himself, then whoever has the Son has the life, and no man can have the one without the other. -To have the Son" must be compared with -to have the Father" in 1 John 2:23. In both cases -have" signifies possession in living union through faith.

hath life Better, as R.V., hath the life; not merely -the life just mentioned", -the life which God has given", but -the life which in the full sense of the word is such".

he that hath not As in 1 John 5:10, the negative alternative is stated generally and indefinitely (ὁ μὴ ἔχων). The addition of -of God" is neither fortuitous nor pleonastic. Those who possess Him know that He is the Son of God; those who do not, need to be reminded Whose Son it is that they reject.

The verse constitutes another close parallel with the Gospel: comp. the last words of the Baptist (John 3:36).

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising