Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

5:13-21 Final Call to Faith and Understanding. John summarizes and extends many things already discussed. "Know" occurs seven times in these verses, indicating his focus on the assurance and even certainty of Christian faith and salvation.

5:13 The Confidence that Faith Furnishes. Belief can be shaky, and John writes to believers who have seen their congregation split (cf. 2:19). That you may know implies that it is possible for Christians to have assurance of salvation (cf. 2:3; 3:14; note on 2 Pet. 1:10).