1 John 2:3 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

These verses may seem to relate to the 1 John 1:7; between which and these verses there occurred an incidental discourse concerning the believer's duty and relief in case of sin, occasioned by the mention of one of the believer's privileges?his being cleansed from sin by the Mediator's blood. In that verse the apostle asserts the beneficial consequence of walking in the light: ?We have then fellowship with one another, such divine fellowship and communion as are the prerogative of the church... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:3-6

2:3-6 And it is by this that we know that we have come to know him--if we keep his commandments. He who says, "I have come to know him" and who does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a man. The love of God is truly perfected in any man who keeps his word. This is the way in which we know that we are in him. He who claims that he abides in him ought himself to live the same kind of life as he lived. This passage deals in phrases and thoughts which were very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:3

And hereby we do know that we know him ,.... Either the Father, with whom Christ is an advocate; not as the God of nature, and by the light of it, nor as the lawgiver and Judge of the whole earth, and by the law of Moses; but as the God of all grace, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin, as the Father of Christ, and as in him by the Gospel; and this not in a mere notional and speculative way, but with love and affection; not with fear and trembling, as devils know him, nor in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:3

And hereby we do know that we know him - If we keep the commandments of God, loving him with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, we have the fullest proof that we have the true saving knowledge of God and his Christ. The Gnostics pretended to much knowledge, but their knowledge left them in possession of all their bad passions and unholy habits; they, therefore, gave no proof that they had known either God or his Son Jesus - nor is any man properly acquainted with God, who is still... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:3

Verse 3 3And hereby, or by this. After having treated of the doctrine respecting the gratuitous remission of sins, he comes to the exhortations which belong to it, and which depend on it. And first indeed he reminds us that the knowledge of God, derived from the gospel, is not ineffectual, but that obedience proceeds from it. He then shews what God especially requires from us, what is the chief thing in life, even love to God. What we read here of the living knowledge of God, the Scripture does... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:1-6

Sin supposed: sin dealt with. There is here a contrast to the statement in the last verse of the first chapter. There, a man was supposed to deny the commission of sin. Here, the apostle supposes its existence, and shows how God has dealt with it. We have here— I. DIVINE PROVISION AGAINST EXPERIENCE OF SIN IN BELIEVERS , 1 . Advocacy as far as our need for it is concerned. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye may not sin. And if any man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3

And herein we perceive that we know him, if we keep his commandments γινώσκομεν , we come to know, we recognize; ἐγνώκαμεν , we have come to know, we know). The token of our having this knowledge is stated hypothetically; not because, but if, we obey. To serve under another and obey him is one of the best ways of knowing his character. The knowledge is no mere intellectual apprehension, such as the Gnostic, postulated, but a moral and spiritual affection and activity. It is possible... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-5

Verification verified; or, knowing that we know God. Connecting link: The redemption effected by Christ in doing away with sin restores the lost fellowship between us and God. In the act of fellowship we come to a heart-knowledge of God; and this true knowledge of God is constantly being verified by a life of obedience. Topic— Certitude in the knowledge of God. The closer our study of the Word of God, and the more minute our investigation of its phrases and words, the more striking... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

Thirdly, walking in the light involves obedience. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:3-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

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