Easter · Seventh Sunday of Easter · Year B
1 John 5:9-15
Paul in Ephesus
May 9, 2027
Overview & Insights
“And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them.” (Acts 19:6)
This section and the one before it are a pair. They are both concerned with the relationship of Christianity to an imperfect form of the faith—“the baptism of John.” In this case Paul deals with the situation himself. These verses include also a brief description of his ministry in Ephesus, aspects of which are illustrated in the following section. But again we must turn to Paul’s letters to fill out our knowledge of these years. They show that his achievement in Ephesus was at the cost of much suffering (1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Cor. 1:8; 4:9ff.; 6:4ff.), including, perhaps, an imprisonment (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23) and a “flying visit” to Corinth in an attempt to bring order into that church’s troubled affairs (cf. 2 Cor. 12:14; 13:1; also 2 Cor. 2:1; see disc. on 21:21).
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Commentary
Commentary on 1 John 5:9-13 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reading of the testimony of God about the Son and the assurance of eternal life.
1 John 5:9-13 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on why God's testimony is greater than any human witness.
1 John 5 - David Guzik Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Evangelical verse by verse study of the witness of God and knowing that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:9 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed word study and cross references on receiving the greater testimony God gives about his Son.
1 John 5:9 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators assembled on the witness of God and the confidence we have in prayer.
Background & Word Study
1 John 5:9 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the testimony, the Son, and the boldness of asking according to his will.
1 John - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the setting and purpose of the Johannine letters (background only).
Books of 1-3 John Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the Johannine letters and their themes of love, truth, and assurance.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What happens at Ephesus in Acts 19?
Paul finds disciples who knew only John's baptism; baptized now in the name of the Lord Jesus and receiving the Spirit through Paul's hands, they speak in tongues and prophesy.
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