1 John 5:13 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
John states in two places that what he wrote was so that we could believe in Christ and be saved, have eternal life.
John obviously thought that was adequate, as did God who inspired Scripture.
You really nailed it earlier in the thread when you said this...... (which is a keeper)
Well yea...that's a no brain-er...sure they did for everything that God wants us to know. Unfortunately some spend so much time trying to determine what they think the Holy Spirit 'left out' , and basing their faith on 'what isn't written', that they lose sight of the truth that IS written, and thus they miss the mark of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus.
Most who do this cannot discern it is just another tactic to keep believers and unbelievers away from what Christ wants them to know...get them tangled up in a ball of thread for years...then they miss the mark entirely and to their own loss.
I write these things TO YOU WHO BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God that you may 'know' that you have eternal life.... 1 John 5:13
I think it's very interesting that the first verse above leans toward those who might not yet believe, (the use of 'may' could indicate some of the hearers hadn't yet believed though listening and wanting to know the truth). ..... it would also appear to encourage those who do believe.
The other, John 5:13, is definately for those who do believe so that they may "KNOW" they have eternal life.
Either way the scriptures attest that the scriptures can and do lead people to the truth they desire, and for that come to realize they need a Savior... that once they accept His forgiveness, freely given, the scriptures will confirm to them that they are indeed saved and their security in Christ sealed.
Jesus often explained the meaning of the Scripture from which they had strayed from...stating... “have you not read,” ....“it is written,” .....“For I say to you,” etc. ... and here Paul states...“Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9)
If someone cannot see a teacher is off on the fundamentals when they are shown the problem they are unable to receive from Scripture, they have not been trained by the word. ......'Holding fast the word' is someone who is Bible based,.. sound in his understanding of what the Scripture says and does not say... He understands what God has said as God’s word is living and active today just as it was when it was spoken or written.... http://www.letusreason.org/Doct56.htm
Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I John 5:20
We know also 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 by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.