Who Is the "True God" in 1 John 5:20?

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

If you’ve ever talked with Jehovah’s Witnesses at your door, Unitarians online, or even curious friends asking what the Bible really says about Jesus, you’ve probably bumped into this verse.

At the very end of 1 John, the apostle drops a huge statement: “This one is the true God and eternal life.”

Here’s the big question: Who is “This one” (houtos in Greek)? Is John pointing to Jesus Christ, or is he referring back to God the Father?

Let’s break it down in plain language, with solid grammar:

Q1: What’s the main argument over “This one” (houtos)?

In basic Greek (and even in English), a pronoun usually points back to the closest noun, what scholars call the immediate antecedent.

Look at how the sentence flows: “…in his Son Jesus Christ. This one [houtos] is the true God and eternal life.”

Read naturally, “This one” points straight to Jesus Christ, He’s the noun standing right next to the pronoun.

[ ...in his Son Jesus Christ ] ──► [ This one (houtos) ] ──► [ is the true God... ]

Some scholars (like Murray Harris) and non‑Trinitarian groups argue that “This one” actually skips past Jesus and refers back to “the one who is true,” the Father. But to make that work, you’d have to leapfrog right over Jesus!

When people try to prove that John often skips the nearest antecedent, they usually point to verses like 1 John 2:22 or 2 John 7. But if you check the Greek closely, John isn’t skipping nouns at all. In those passages, he uses full phrases, like “the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ,” as the direct subject right before the pronoun.

So in 1 John 5:20, jumping over “his Son Jesus Christ” to reach back to an earlier clause isn’t John’s normal style; it’s basically grammatical gymnastics.

Q2: Isn’t the Father the “Main Focus” in John’s Mind Here?

Some say that even if Jesus is closer in the sentence, the Father is still the “dominant subject” in John’s thoughts. But let’s actually look at how 1 John 5:20 is structured. John builds this verse like a mirror pattern (called a chiasmus):

A: The Son of God has come and given us understanding. 

B: So that we may know the one who is true. 

B′: And we are in the one who is true. 

A′: In His Son, Jesus Christ.

See how the Son frames the whole thing? The first and last lines (A and A′) both center on Jesus. The only reason we can even know “the one who is true” is because the Son came and made it possible.

So rhetorically, Jesus isn’t in the background; He’s front and center.

Q3: What About “Eternal Life”? Who Does John Call That?

This is where the argument really locks in. John sets up a powerful literary move by using matching “bookends” (an inclusio) at the very start and the very end of his letter:

• Opening Line (1 John 1:2): “The life was revealed… we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us.”

• Closing Line (1 John 5:20): “This is the true God and eternal life.”

See the pattern? John begins and ends by calling Jesus “the eternal life.” It’s not just a concept or a gift; it’s a title he applies directly to Christ.

Across the whole letter of 1 John, only two spots actually call someone “eternal life.” Since Jesus is clearly identified as the eternal life revealed to us in chapter 1, it totally makes sense that He’s also the eternal life in chapter 5.

Whoever gets called “eternal life” in verse 20 is also called “the true God.” You can’t split that phrase in half; it’s one complete title pointing straight to Christ.

Q4: But Jesus Is Called “the True God” Here. Doesn’t “the God” (ho theos) Only Refer to the Father?

That’s a common pushback. Some argue Jesus can be called “god” in a general sense, but once the definite article shows up, “the true God”, it must mean the Father.

But here’s the catch: in Greek, the article actually ties the two titles together. It’s saying Jesus is both “the true God” and “eternal life.” You can’t separate them.

And this isn’t unusual at all. The New Testament often uses the definite article when calling Jesus God in worship or confession:

• John 20:28: Thomas says, “My Lord and my God!” (ho theos mou)

• Titus 2:13: “…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

• Hebrews 1:8: “Your throne, O God (ho theos)….”

• 2 Peter 1:1: “…our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

So calling Jesus “the true God” with the article fits perfectly with how the New Testament presents His full divinity, no contradiction, just consistency.

Q5: How Do We Reconcile This with John 17:3, Where Jesus Calls the Father “the Only True God”?

In John 17:3, Jesus prays to the Father and calls Him “the only true God.” Unitarians jump on this: If the Father is the only true God, how can Jesus also be called the true God in 1 John 5:20?

Here’s the key: John isn’t setting up a rivalry between Father and Son. He’s drawing a line between the real Creator God and fake idols.

Look at how 1 John ends: “This one is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:20–21)

John’s point is simple: Anything outside the Father and the Son is a counterfeit god, an idol.

And if Jesus is truly God (John 1:1, John 1:18, John 20:28), then He’s not some “lesser god.” Scripture doesn’t allow for a “legit but lower‑tier deity” that’s polytheism. If Jesus is God, then by definition He shares the one divine essence with the Father. That’s why John can call Him “the true God and eternal life.”

The Climax of John’s Writings

Notice how John closes both his Gospel and his First Epistle with almost the same punch:

• John 20:28–31: Thomas confesses Jesus as God, Jesus is declared the Son of God, and believing in Him gives you life in His name.

• 1 John 5:20–21: Jesus is named the Son of God, confessed as the true God, and identified as eternal life.

John saves his most powerful descriptions of Jesus for the finale. He’s not just a teacher, prophet, or exalted angel. He is the true God and eternal life.

Call to Action

• Check Your Heart for Idols: John’s last words are urgent: “Guard yourselves from idols.” Anything you put above Jesus as your source of life, joy, or security is an idol.

• Rest in the True Life: Real life isn’t found in rule‑keeping or self‑effort. It’s found in knowing the Son. If you have Him, you have life.

• Share the Truth Boldly: When someone questions Christ’s deity, don’t shrink back. Walk them through 1 John 5:20 with clarity, love, and grace.

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