1 John 5:4

King James Version (KJV)

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Whatsoever is born of God - Παν το γεγεννημενον· Whatsoever (the neuter for the masculine) is begotten of God: overcometh the world. "I understand by this," says Schoettgen, "the Jewish Church, or Judaism, which is often termed הזה עולם olam hazzeh, this world. The reasons which induce me to think so are,

Because this κοσμος, world, denied that the Messiah was come; but the Gentiles did not oppose this principle.

Because he proves the truth of the Christian religion against the Jews, reasoning according to the Jewish manner; whence it is evident that he contends, not against the Gentiles, but against the Jews. The sense therefore is, he who possesses the true Christian faith can easily convict the Jewish religion of falsity."

That is, He can show the vanity of their expectations, and the falsity of their glosses and prejudices. Suppose we understand by the world the evil principles and practices which are among men, and in the human heart; then the influence of God in the soul may be properly said to overcome this; and by faith in the Son of God a man is able to overcome all that is in the world, viz., the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world - The world, in its maxims, and precepts, and customs, does not rule him, but he is a freeman. The idea is, that there is a conflict between religion and the world, and that in the heart of every true Christian religion secures the victory, or triumphs. In John 16:33, the Saviour says, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” See the notes at that verse. He obtained a complete triumph over him “who rules the darkness of the world,” and laid the foundation for a victory by his people over all vice, error, and sin. John makes this affirmation of all who are born of God. “Whatsoever,” or, as the Greek is, “Everything which is begotten of God,” ( πᾶν τὸ γεγενημένον pan to gegenēmenonmeaning to affirm, undoubtedly, that “in every instance” where one is truly regenerated, there is this victory over the world. See the James 4:4 note; 1 John 2:15-16 note. It is one of the settled maxims of religion, that every man who is a true Christian gains a victory over the world; and consequently a maxim as settled, that where the spirit of the world reigns supremely in the heart, there is no true religion. But, if this be a true principle, how many professed Christians are there who are strangers to all claims of piety - for how many are there who are wholly governed by the spirit of this world!

And this is the victory - This is the source or means of the victory which is thus achieved.

Even our faith - Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 John 5:5. He overcame the world, John 16:33, and it is by that faith which makes us one with him, and that imbues us with his Spirit, that we are able to do it also.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

True love for the people of God, may be distinguished from natural kindness or party attachments, by its being united with the love of God, and obedience to his commands. The same Holy Spirit that taught the love, will have taught obedience also; and that man cannot truly love the children of God, who, by habit, commits sin or neglects known duty. As God's commands are holy, just, and good rules of liberty and happiness, so those who are born of God and love him, do not count them grievous, but lament that they cannot serve him more perfectly. Self-denial is required, but true Christians have a principle which carries them above all hinderances. Though the conflict often is sharp, and the regenerate may be cast down, yet he will rise up and renew his combat with resolution. But all, except believers in Christ, are enslaved in some respect or other, to the customs, opinions, or interests of the world. Faith is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armour by which we overcome. In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and in opposition to the world. Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains sway and dominion over souls. It has the indwelling Spirit of grace, which is greater than he who dwells in the world. The real Christian overcomes the world by faith; he sees, in and by the life and conduct of the Lord Jesus on earth, that this world is to be renounced and overcome. He cannot be satisfied with this world, but looks beyond it, and is still tending, striving, and pressing toward heaven. We must all, after Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

4. For. Literally, “because.” John is about to give a further reason why the requirements of God are not a wearying and exhausting load. To the unaided human soul they are impossible to fulfill (Rom. 8:7), but to the born-again Christian (John 3:3) all things are possible (Mark 11:22-24; Phil. 4:13). He partakes of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and draws on the same resources that sustained Christ in His earthly life (TM 386; DA 123).

Whatsoever. John may have used this term rather than “whosoever,” to stress the comprehensive nature of the truth he is uttering (cf. John 3:6). Every right principle comes from God and is capable of overcoming worldly principles that come from Satan.

Born of God. See on ch. 3:9.

Overcometh. Gr. nikaÅÂ (see on ch. 2:13). The form of the verb in the Greek shows that victory in the new life may be continuous. Whenever the newly born Christian resists the tempter in the strength of Heaven, the adversary is defeated (James 4:7).

World. Gr. kosmos (see on ch. 2:15).

Victory. Gr. nikÄ“, “means for winning a victory,” “victory,” from nikaÅÂ, “to conquer” (see above under “overcometh”). NikÄ“ occurs only here in the NT, but was common in classical Greek and was the name given to the Greek goddess of victory.

Overcometh. Gr. nikaÅÂ (see on ch. 2:13). In the Greek there is an interesting play on the words nikÄ“ and nikaÅÂ, which may be rendered “this is the conquest that conquered the world.” The form of the verb would seem to refer to the time when the believers made their break with the world, since the apostle is speaking of their faith. There may also be an ultimate reference to the one great victory that enables Christians to conquer the world—Christ’s own victory over the devil—but that is not John’s primary thought in this verse.

Faith. Gr. pistis (see on Heb. 11:1). This is the only occurrence of this word in John’s Gospel or epistles. How can “our faith” enable us to overcome the world? John provides the answer in v. 5, where he implies that the faith to which he is referring is that which accepts Jesus as the Son of God. Such a faith appropriates the Saviour’s victory over the world and duplicates it in the life of the believer. It does not stop at mental assent but leads to positive action. Like the paralytic who was commanded to rise, we attempt what seems impossible (John 5:5-9). As our will chooses to rise from the thralldom of sin, the life-giving power of God comes into every moral fiber and enables us to accomplish what we by faith have willed. Were we to lie back and wait for the Lord to lift us up from sin, nothing would happen. Our faith must lay hold of His promises, and must desire, choose, and will to act upon them before that strength can aid us.

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Ellen G. White
Counsels on Health, 592

It is not God's will that we should seclude ourselves from the world. But while in the world we should sanctify ourselves to God. We should not pattern after the world. We are to be in the world as a corrective influence, as salt that retains its savor. Among an unholy, impure, idolatrous generation, we are to be pure and holy, showing that the grace of Christ has power to restore in man the divine likeness. We are to exert a saving influence upon the world. CH 592.1

“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4. The world has become a lazar house of sin, a mass of corruption. It knows not the children of God because it knows Him not. We are not to practice its ways or follow its customs. Continually we are to resist its lax principles. Christ said to His followers, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. It is the duty of physicians and nurses to shine as lights amid the corrupting influences of the world. They are to cherish principles which the world cannot tarnish. CH 592.2

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Ellen G. White
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 182

Help them also to appreciate its wonderful beauty. Many books of no value, books that are exciting and unhealthful, are recommended, or at least permitted to be used, because of their supposed literary value. Why should we direct our children to drink of these polluted streams, when they may have free access to the pure fountains of the word of God? The Bible has a fullness, a strength, a depth of meaning, that is inexhaustible. Encourage the children and youth to seek out its treasures, both of thought and of expression. CT 182.1

As the beauty of these precious things attracts their minds, a softening, subduing power will touch their hearts. They will be drawn to Him who has thus revealed Himself to them. And there are few who will not desire to know more of His works and ways. CT 182.2

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Ellen G. White
The Faith I Live By, 126.1

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4. FLB 126.1

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Ellen G. White
Gospel Workers 1915, 259

The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; they are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest, agonizing faith men lay hold upon the mighty arm of power. GW 259.1

True faith and true prayer—how strong they are! They are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith is trusting in God,—believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessings. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life's success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency. GW 259.2

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1 John 5:4