1 John 2:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 2:3

And hereby we do know that we know him - To wit, by that which follows, we have evidence that we are truly acquainted with him, and with the requirements of his religion; that is, that we are truly his friends. The word “him” in this verse, seems to refer to the Saviour. On the meaning of the word “know,” see the notes at John 17:3. The apostle had stated in the previous part of this Epistle some of the leading points revealed by the Christian religion, and he here enters on the consideration... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 2:3-6

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:1-6

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 2:3

hereby = in ( App-104 .) this. know . App-132 . The second "know" is in perf. tense, as in 1 John 2:4 also. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 John 2:3

And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.Contrary to the criterion accepted by many for determination if they are or are not saved, this denies that a person's "feelings" in such a question can be trusted. "It is all too easy to fall into illusions about ourselves if we make too much of our religious feelings, even those of an elevated kind."[12] Keeping the commandments of God is the prerequisite and the test either of loving God (John 14:15) or of knowing God.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 John 2:3

1 John 2:3. Hereby we do know that we know him— To know Christ, to love him, to have him, and to be in him, are in this epistle used as synonymous terms, or very nearly so. St. John had in the former chapter intimated, that no man can have communion with God, unless he walk in the light, as God is in the light. Here he asserts, that no man can have any benefit from Christ's being an Advocate with the Father, or a propitiation for the sins of men, unless his knowledge of God and the gospel... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 2:3

3. hereby—Greek, "in this." "It is herein," and herein only, that we know (present tense) that we have knowledge of (perfect tense, once-for-all obtained and continuing knowledge of) Him" (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 2:14). Tokens whereby to discern grace are frequently given in this Epistle. The Gnostics, by the Spirit's prescient forewarning, are refuted, who boasted of knowledge, but set aside obedience. "Know Him," namely, as "the righteous" (1 John 2:1; 1 John 2:29); our "Advocate and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 2:3

John proposed a test whereby we can measure our experiential knowledge of God (Father and Son, 1 John 1:3), how well we really know Him. He said, look at your response to God’s revealed will. All believers know God to some extent (John 17:3). However some know Him more fully and intimately than others do (John 14:7-9; John 14:21-23). Occasionally a person who has been married for a long time and then gets a divorce will say of his or her spouse, "I never really knew her (or him)." Obviously... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 2:3-11

B. Reaching the Goal by Knowing the God of Light 2:3-11"The author is explaining to the members of his church, in answer to developing heretical tendencies, the nature of true Christian belief and practice, and the way in which these interact. To do this he first chooses as his theme and for his exhortation the necessity of ’living in the light’ (1 John 1:5-7). The first (negative) condition required for a genuinely Christlike existence, the writer suggests, is the renunciation of sin (1 John... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - 1 John 2:3

2:3 know (a-7) Ginosko . and so throughout chapter, except vers. 11,20,21,29 (first), oida . Perfect tense here. 'have come to know him, and continue so to do;' and so vers. 4,13,14. read more

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