SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:9
Si recibimos el testimonio de los hombres, el testimonio de Dios es mayor; porque ste es el testimonio de Dios, que ha testificado de su Hijo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 John 5:9
Verse 9. If we receive the witness of men] Which all are obliged to do, and which is deemed a sufficient testimony to truth in numberless cases; the witness of God is greater - he can neither be deceived nor deceive, but man may deceive and be deceived.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. If we receive the witness of men , &c.] The witness of a sufficient number of credible men, of men of good character and report, is always admitted in any case, and in any court of judicature; it was allowed of in the law of Moses; everything was proved and established hereby; upon this men were justified or condemned, cognizance was taken of men's sins, and punishment inflicted, yea, death itself, ( Deuteronomy 17:6 19:15 Hebrews 10:28); and even in this case concerning the Son of God, his coming into the world, and the dignity of his person, the testimony of men is credited; as that of the wise men, who declared that the King of the Jews was born, and his star had been seen in the east, which Herod himself gave credit to, and upon it summoned the chief priests, and inquired of them where he should be born; and also of the shepherds, who testified to the appearance of angels, who told them that there was then born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord, and who also related that they themselves saw the infant at Bethlehem; and especially of John the Baptist, whose testimony was true, and could not be objected to by the Jews themselves, who sent to him, before whom he bore a plain and faithful witness. Now if an human testimony may be, and is received, the testimony of God is greater ; more valuable, surer, and to be more firmly depended on, since it must be infallible; for God can neither deceive, nor be deceived: for this is the witness of God, which he hath testified of his Son ; even the witness of the Spirit, the water, and the blood, is the testimony, not of men, but of God; the Gospel, attended with the Spirit of God, is the testimony of God; and so the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, which bear witness of Christ, are not of men, but of God; and especially the witness of the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, must be the testimony of God, since, though three persons, they are one God; particularly the witness which God the Father testified of his Son Jesus Christ at his baptism and transfiguration, must be allowed to be the testimony of God, and far greater than any human testimony, and therefore to be received.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-12 - Nothing can be more absurd than the conduct of those who doubt as to the truth of Christianity, while in the common affairs of life they d not hesitate to proceed on human testimony, and would deem any one ou of his senses who declined to do so. The real Christian has seen his guilt and misery, and his need of such a Saviour. He has seen the suitableness of such a Saviour to all his spiritual wants an circumstances. He has found and felt the power of the word and doctrin of Christ, humbling, healing, quickening, and comforting his soul. He has a new disposition, and new delights, and is not the man that he formerly was. Yet he finds still a conflict with himself, with sin with the flesh, the world, and wicked powers. But he finds suc strength from faith in Christ, that he can overcome the world, an travel on towards a better. Such assurance has the gospel believer: he has a witness in himself, which puts the matter out of doubt with him except in hours of darkness or conflict; but he cannot be argued out of his belief in the leading truths of the gospel. Here is what makes the unbeliever's sin so awful; the sin of unbelief. He gives God the lie because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. It is in vain for a man to plead that he believes the testimony of God in othe things, while he rejects it in this. He that refuses to trust an honour Christ as the Son of God, who disdains to submit to his teachin as Prophet, to rely on his atonement and intercession as High Priest or to obey him as King, is dead in sin, under condemnation; nor wil any outward morality, learning, forms, notions, or confidences avai him.
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 την 3588 μαρτυριαν 3141 των 3588 ανθρωπων 444 λαμβανομεν 2983 5719 η 3588 μαρτυρια 3141 του 3588 θεου 2316 μειζων 3187 εστιν 2076 5748 οτι 3754 αυτη 3778 εστιν 2076 5748 η 3588 μαρτυρια 3141 του 3588 θεου 2316 ην 3739 μεμαρτυρηκεν 3140 5758 περι 4012 του 3588 υιου 5207 αυτου 846
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. If we receive (ei lambanomen). The indicative mood, assuming such reception as a fact. If we receive, as we do. On the verb receive, see on John iii. 32.
The witness of God is greater. Supply mentally, and therefore we should receive that.
For (oti). Not explaining why it is greater, but why the principle of the superior greatness of divine testimony should apply and be appealed to in this case. Supply mentally, and this applies in the case before us, for, etc. This is the witness of God which (hn). The best texts read oti that or because. Render that. This is the witness of God, even the fact that, etc.
