The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6
Thirdly, walking in the light involves obedience. read more
Thirdly, walking in the light involves obedience. read more
The participial substantive ὁ λέγων now takes the place of ἐάν with the subjunctive, but the two are equivalent (cf. 1 John 1:6 , which is almost exactly parallel to this, and shows what "knowing him" really is, viz. having fellowship with him, just as not keeping his commandments is the same as walking in darkness). St. John says, μὴ τηρῶν , not, οὐ τηρῶν , the case being hypothetical—if there be such a man, he is a liar, and has no idea of truth (see on 1 John 1:8 ). He... read more
Once more (cf. 1 John 1:7 , 1 John 1:9 ) the opposite is stated and the thought carried further. But whoso keepeth his word , of a truth in him hath the love of God been perfected; i.e., as an accomplished fact; the relation of love has been established. In St. John ἀληθῶς is no mere expletive; it expresses reality, and reality that is known. From verse 4 we might have expected "of a truth he knoweth God;" but the apostle goes beyond this, and shows that really knowing God... read more
He that saith, I know Him - He who professes to be acquainted with the Saviour, or who professes to be a Christian.And keepeth not his commandments - What he has appointed to be observed by his people; that is, he who does not obey him.Is a liar - Makes a false profession; professes to have that which he really has not. Such a profession is a falsehood, because there can be no true religion where one does not obey the law of God. read more
But whoso keepeth his word - That is, what he has spoken or commanded, The term “word” here will include all that he has made known to us as his will in regard to our conduct.In him verily is the love of God perfected - He professes to have the love of God in his heart, and that love receives its completion or filling up by obedience to the will of God. That obedience is the proper carrying out, or the exponent of the love which exists in the heart. Love to the Saviour would be defective... read more
1 John 2:3-6. Hereby we do know that we, truly and savingly, know him As he is the Advocate, the righteous One, the Propitiation; if we keep his commandments Particularly those of faith and love. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar “The Nicolaitans and Gnostics, notwithstanding they lived in an habitual course of the most criminal sensual indulgences, boasted that they were the objects of God’s love, and sure of obtaining eternal life, merely because... read more
1:1-2:17 LIVING IN THE LIGHTFellowship with God (1:1-2:6)In the opening few words of his letter, John states clearly certain facts about Jesus Christ that are basic to Christianity. Jesus Christ is the eternal God and he became a real man whom John and his fellow apostles have seen, heard and touched (1:1-2). John’s joy will be complete if he knows that he and his readers share together in the eternal life that comes to them through Jesus Christ. This life unites them to one another as well as... read more
truth . See 1 John 1:6 . read more
word. App-121 . love . App-135 . God . App-98 . perfected . App-125 . read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-5
The true knowledge of God and its infallible proof. "And hereby we know that we know him," etc. We have in our text— I. AN EXALTED SPIRITUAL ATTAINMENT . To "know him," i.e., God. This is not to be altered and weakened into knowing certain doctrines concerning him; it is the knowledge of God himself. We may know, or think that we know, much about him, without knowing himself. This knowledge of God is not intellectual, but moral and spiritual. It is not the trained and... read more