The Test of Knowing Him

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a (A)liar, and the truth is not in him. But (B)whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God [a]is perfected (C)in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (D)He who says he abides in Him (E)ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

[b]Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (F)from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard [c]from the beginning. Again, (G)a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, (H)because the darkness is passing away, and (I)the true light is already shining.

(J)He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 (K)He who loves his brother abides in the light, and (L)there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who (M)hates his brother is in darkness and (N)walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 has been completed
  2. 1 John 2:7 NU Beloved
  3. 1 John 2:7 NU omits from the beginning

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know(A) that we have come to know him(B) if we keep his commands.(C) Whoever says, “I know him,”(D) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.(E) But if anyone obeys his word,(F) love for God[a] is truly made complete in them.(G) This is how we know(H) we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.(I)

Dear friends,(J) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.(K) This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command;(L) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing(M) and the true light(N) is already shining.(O)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b](P) is still in the darkness.(Q) 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light,(R) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.(S) 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister(T) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.(U) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love
  2. 1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.
  3. 1 John 2:10 The Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21.

The Imperative of Love(A)

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, (B)that we should love one another, 12 not as (C)Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if (D)the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [a]his brother abides in death. 15 (E)Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that (F)no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:14 NU omits his brother

10 This is how we know who the children of God(A) are and who the children of the devil(B) are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love(C) their brother and sister.(D)

More on Love and Hatred

11 For this is the message you heard(E) from the beginning:(F) We should love one another.(G) 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one(H) and murdered his brother.(I) And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.(J) 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[a] if the world hates you.(K) 14 We know that we have passed from death to life,(L) because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.(M) 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister(N) is a murderer,(O) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 16.