1 John 2:9-11 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:7-11

The seventh verse may be supposed either to look backward to what immediately preceded (and then it is walking as Christ walked that is here represented as no new, but an old commandment; it is that which the apostles would certainly inculcate wherever they brought Christ's gospel), or to look forward to what the apostle is now going to recommend, and that is the law of fraternal love; this is the message heard from the beginning (1 John 3:11), and the old commandment, 2 John 1:5. Now, while... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:9-11

2:9-11 He who says that he is in the light, and who at the same time hates his brother, is still in the darkness. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is nothing in him which makes him stumble. He who hates his brother is in the darkness and he is walking in darkness, and he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. The first thing which strikes us about this passage is the way in which John sees personal relationships in terms of black... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:9-11

John has something further to say. As he sees it, our attitude to our brother man has an effect not only on him but also on ourselves. (i) If we love our brother, we are walking in the light and there is nothing in us which causes us to stumble. The Greek could mean that, if we love our brother, there is nothing in us which causes others to stumble and, of course, that would be perfectly true. But it is much more likely that John is saying that, if we love our brother, there is nothing in us... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:9

He that saith he is in the light ,.... Is in Christ the light, or has the true knowledge of the light of the Gospel, or is illuminated by the Spirit of God; for persons may profess to be enlightened ones, and not be so: wherefore the apostle does not say, he that is in the light, but he that says he is, and hateth his brother ; who is so either by creation, as all men are brethren, having one Father, that has made them, and brought them up; or by regeneration, being born of God the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:10

He that loveth his brother ,.... As such, and because he is his brother in Christ, and that cordially and sincerely, without hypocrisy and dissimulation, and by love serves him, both in things temporal and spiritual, and so observes the new, and yet old commandment, abideth in the light : it is a plain case, that such a man is in the light of grace, and continues in it; for though it is not his love to the brethren which is the cause of his light, of his being and continuing in it, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:11

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness ,.... As is before expressed in 1 John 2:9 , to which is added, and walketh in darkness ; he goes on in it, and takes delight in it, as dangerous and uncomfortable as it is: and knoweth not whither he goeth ; he cannot discern between good and evil; he puts darkness for light, and light for darkness; he sees not what is before him, nor what stumblingblocks lie in the way; he is not aware of the snares, pits, and traps he is in danger of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:9

He that saith he is in the light - He that professes to be a convert to Christianity, even in the lowest degree; and hateth his brother - not only does not love him, but wills and does him evil, as the Jews did the Gentiles; is in darkness - has received no saving knowledge of the truth; and, whatever he may pretend, is in heathen ignorance, or even worse than heathen ignorance, to the present time, notwithstanding the clear shining of the light of the Gospel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:10

He that loveth his brother - That is, his neighbor, his fellow creature, whether Jew or Gentile, so as to bear him continual good will, and to be ready to do him every kind office; abideth in the light - not only gives proof that he has received Christ Jesus the Lord, but that he walks in him, that he retains the grace of his justification, and grows therein. And there is none occasion of stumbling in him - Και σκανδαλον εν αυτῳ ουκ εστιν· And there is no stumbling block in him; he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:11

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness - He is still in his heathen or unconverted state; and walketh in darkness, his conduct being a proof of that state; and knoweth not whither he goeth - having no proper knowledge of God or eternal things; and cannot tell whether he is going to heaven or hell, because that darkness has blinded his eyes - darkened his whole soul, mind, and heart. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:9

Verse 9 9He that saith he is in the light He pursues the same metaphor. He said that love is the only true rule according to which our life is to be formed; he said that this rule or law is presented to us in the Gospel; he said, lastly, that it is there as the meridian light, which ought to be continually looked on. Now, on the other hand, he concludes that all are blind and walk in darkness who are strangers to love. But that he mentioned before the love of God and now the love of the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:7-11

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:9-11

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:9-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 2:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:9

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