Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now. He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
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Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now. He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Parallel Translations
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Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines.
He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now.
He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.
But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
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Agayne a newe commaundement I write vnto you a thynge that is true in him and also in you: for the darknes is past and the true lyght now shyneth.
He that sayth how that he is in the light and yet hateth his brother is in darknes even vntyll this tyme.
He that loveth his brother abydeth in the light and ther is none occasion of evyll in him.
He that hateth his brother is in darknes and walketh in darknes: and cannot tell whither he goeth because that darknes hath blynded his eyes.
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Againe, a new comandement I write vnto you, that which is true in him, and also in you: for the darkenes is past, and that true light now shineth.
He that saith that hee is in that light, and hateth his brother, is in darkenes, vntill this time.
Hee that loueth his brother, abideth in that light, and there is none occasion of euil in him.
But he that hateth his brother, is in darkenesse, and walketh in darkenesse, and knoweth not whither hee goeth, because that darkenesse hath blinded his eyes.
Cross-references (59)
- Ephesians 5:8 (v8) For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
- Romans 13:12 (v8) The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
- John 13:34 (v8) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
- 1 John 4:20 (v9) If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God…
- John 8:12 (v8) Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have…
Show all 57 cross-references
- 1 John 2:11 (v9) But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has…
- John 12:35 (vv8, 11) Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you.…
- 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (v8) in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the…
- John 1:9 (v8) The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
- John 12:46 (v8) I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
- 1 John 3:14 (v10) We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death.
- John 1:4-5 (v8) In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
- 1 John 3:13-17 (v9) Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers.…
- Romans 9:32-33 (v10) Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone; even as it is…
- 1 John 4:21 (v8) This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.
- Psalms 82:5 (v9) They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
- Titus 3:3 (v11) For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating…
- Hosea 6:3 (v10) Let’s acknowledge Yahweh. Let’s press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain,…
- Romans 14:13 (v10) Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an…
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (v9) If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the…
- 2 Peter 1:9 (v9) For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
- 1 John 1:6 (vv9, 11) If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth.
- Matthew 13:21 (v10) yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
- Matthew 18:7 (v10) “Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the…
- John 8:31 (v10) Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
- 2 Peter 1:10 (v10) Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
- 1 John 2:4 (v9) One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.
- Revelation 3:17 (v11) Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable,…
- Proverbs 4:19 (v11) The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
- Malachi 4:2 (v8) But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the…
- Luke 17:1-2 (v10) He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be…
- John 12:40 (v11) “He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would…
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (v11) in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the…
- Philippians 1:10 (v10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (v8) But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. You are all children of light and children of the…
- 1 John 2:9 (v11) He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now.
- Psalms 27:1 (v8) Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
- Psalms 36:9 (v8) For with you is the spring of life. In your light we will see light.
- Isaiah 60:1-3 (v8) “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you. For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness…
- Luke 1:79 (v8) to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
- John 9:41 (v9) Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
- John 15:12-15 (v8) “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his…
- Acts 17:30 (v8) The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,
- Acts 26:18 (v8) to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins…
- Romans 2:18-21 (v9) know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide…
- 2 Corinthians 3:14 (v11) But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it…
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 (v8) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty…
- Ephesians 5:1-2 (v8) Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and…
- 2 Timothy 1:10 (v8) but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light…
- 1 John 3:14-16 (v8) We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. Whoever…
- 1 John 4:11 (v8) Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.
- Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (v8) For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice…
- Isaiah 9:2 (v8) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.
- Matthew 4:16 (v8) the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
- Psalms 84:11 (v8) For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.
- 1 Peter 1:21 (v8) who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.
- 1 Peter 4:1-3 (v8) Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has…
57 distinct cross-references across this passage (59 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv8–11 8 Again, a new commandment Interpreters do not appear…
8 Again, a new commandment Interpreters do not appear to me to have attained the meaning of the Apostle. He says new, because God, as it were, renews it by daily suggesting it, so that the faithful may practice it through their whole life, for nothing more excellent can be sought for by them. The elements which children learn give place in time to what is higher and more solid. On the contrary, John denies that the doctrine respecting brotherly love is of this kind, is one which grows old with time, but that it is perpetually in force, so that it is no less the highest perfection than the very beginning.
It was, however, necessary that this should be added, for as men are more curious than what they ought to be, there are many who always seek something new. Hence there is a weariness as to simple doctrine, which produces innumerable prodigies of errors, when every one gapes continually for new mysteries. Now, when it is known that the Lord proceeds in the same even course, in order to keep us through life in that which we have learnt, a bridle is cast on desires of this kind. Let him, then, who would reach the goal of wisdom, as to the right way of living, make proficiency in love.
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Which then is true, or which is truth. He proves by this reason what he had said; for this one command respecting love, as to our conduct in life, constitutes the whole truth of Christ. Besides, what other greater revelation can be expected? for Christ, doubtless, is the end and the completion of all things. Hence the word truth means this, that they stood, as it were at the goal, for it is to be taken for a completion or a perfect state. He joins Christ to them, as the head to the members, as though he had said, that the body of the Church has no other perfection, or, that they would then be really united to Christ, if holy love existed continually among them.
Some give another explanation, “That which is the truth in Christ, is also in you.” But I do not see what the meaning of this is.
Because the darkness is past. The present time is here instead of the past; for he means, that as soon as Christ brings light, we have the full brightness of knowledge: not that every one of the faithful becomes wise the first day as much as he ought to be, (for even Paul testifies that he labored to apprehend what he had not apprehended, (Philippians 3:12,) but that the knowledge of Christ alone is sufficient to dissipate darkness. Hence, daily progress is necessary; and the faith of every one has its dawn before it reaches the noonday. But as God continues the inculcation of the same doctrine, in which he bids us to make advances, the knowledge of the Gospel is justly said to be the true light, when Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shines. Thus the way is shut up against the audacity of those men who try to corrupt the purity of the Gospel by their own fictions; and we may safely denounce an anathema on the whole theology of the Pope, for it wholly obscures the true light.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8–9 He addeth that the doctrine indeed is old, but…
He addeth that the doctrine indeed is old, but it is now after a sort new both in respect of Christ, and also of us: in whom he through the Gospel, engraveth his Law effectually, not in tables of stone, but in our minds.
Which thing (to wit, that the doctrine is new of which I write unto you) is true in him and in you.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv8–11 8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you,…
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
Ver. 8. A new commandment] {See Trapp on "Joh 13:34"} "A new commandment" it is called, saith a late learned interpreter, 1. Because it was renewed by the Lord after it had been as it were antiquated, and almost extinguished. 2. Because it was commanded to such men as were new or renewed. 3. Because it was an excellent commandment.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Yet also he calls it a new commandment, as…
Yet also he calls it a new commandment, as our Saviour did, Joh 13:34, upon the subjoined accounts.
Which thing is true; i.e. evident, or verified, fulfilled, exemplified.
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In him; viz. in that new and high demonstration he had given of the sincerity and greatness of his own love, laying down his life for us, as Joh 15:13.
And in you; or, us, (as some read), i.e. the mind of God herein is by a new and fresh light most evidently and gloriously signified in or among you, (the subject being here collective and plural, admits this varied and very usual sense of the particle in), inasmuch as
the darkness is past; i.e. the heathenish ignorance that made the world barbarous; a darkness in which the furious lusts and passions of men are wont to rage, turning this earth into another hell, Psa 74:20, is in a great measure vanished; and also the dark umbrage of the Judaic dispensation, (some read σκια for σκοτια, not darkness, but shadow), in which the love of God to men was more obscurely represented, is past away and gone,
and the true light now shineth; the love and grace of God towards sinners (the pattern and argument of our mutual love to one another) shines with
true light, that is evident, in opposition to darkness, or immediately substantial, in opposition to type or shadow, as Joh 1:9,14,17; representing the gracious design of God, and his very nature, who is love, 1Jo 4:8,16, with so bright and glorious beams as ought to transform us into his likeness; and which therefore render the mutual hatred of one another the most incongruous thing to us in the world. Whereupon he adds... {see 1Jo 2:9}
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v9 Two things are here to be considered, namely, the…
Two things are here to be considered, namely, the grace and duty proposed and enforced, and the sin or vice specified and opposed.
Observe, 1. The grace proposed, or the duty recommended, namely, the love of our brother: He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
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Where note, 1. The nature of brotherly love; it is a gracious propensity of heart, which a Christian bears, for Christ’s sake, to his neighbour, whereby he wills, and, to his power, procures all good for him; or it is that brotherly affection which every true Christian chiefly bears to all his fellow-members in Christ, for grace sake.
Note, 2. The benefits attending the practice of this grace and duty.
1. His condition is happy, he abideth in the light: that is, he is in a state of grace. Charity is an evident demonstration of sanctity; and accordingly St. Paul, Gal 5:1 reckoning up the fruits of the spirit, placeth love in the front of them.
2. His conversation is holy, there is no occasion of stumbling in him; that is, he walketh inoffensively in a state of grace, and neither stumbleth himself, neither is there occasion given by him that others should stumble, or be drawn into any sin.
Observe, 2. The sin specified, and the vice opposed, namely, hating of our brother: He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness.
Where note, 1. It is not any hurting, but hating our brother, that is forbidden, and that this hatred is not only forbidden whilst he is our friend, but when he becomes our enemy. To hate a friend is unhuman; to hate an enemy is unchristian. And further, it must be noted, that whatever falls short of the duty of loving, cometh within the compass of hating our brother: from every departure from love is a degree of hatred.
Note, 2. The dismal character given of those persons who hate their brother; they are described by their wicked disposition; they are in darkness: by their vicious conversation; they walk in darkness: by their miserable condition; they know not whither they go, because that darkness hath blinded their eyes.
From the whole learn, That we must love all, in the various measures and degrees, according to which God appeareth in them: That is, we must love all men, as men, above the brutes; and we must love all professed Christians, above all other men; and we must love real Christians, especially such of them as are eminent for wisdom, goodness, and usefulness, above all other Christians. The light of knowledge and the heat of love must be inseparable.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Again, a new commandment I write unto you,.... Which…
Again, a new commandment I write unto you,.... Which is the same with the former, considered in different respects. The command of brotherly love is a new one; that is, it is an excellent one, as a new name is an excellent name, and a new song is an excellent one; it is renewed by Christ under the Gospel dispensation; it is newly explained by him, and purged from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees; see Mat 5:43; and enforced by him with a new argument, and by a new example of his own, even his own love to his people; and which is observed by them in a new manner, they being made new creatures; and this law being anew written in their hearts, under the renewing work of the Spirit of God, as a branch of the new covenant of grace; see Joh 13:34. The Jews (c) expect , "a new law" to be given them by the bands of the Messiah; and a new one he has given, even the new commandment of love, and which is the fulfilling of the law.
Which things is true in him, and in you. The Alexandrian copy reads, "in us"; the sense is either, it is true "in itself", as the phrase will bear to be rendered, and it is verified in you, or in us, to be a new commandment; or it is true in Christ, it is yea and amen in him; it has its full completion in him, who is the fulfilling end of the law, as well as it has been faithfully delivered, truly explained, and warmly and affectionately recommended and urged by him; and he is the great pattern and exemplar of it: and the love which this new commandment requires is really and truly in the saints, implanted in them in regeneration, is a fruit of the Spirit, and which faith works by, and will always continue in them; and should be in its actings like Christ's, true, sincere, cordial, affectionate, constant, and universal: and some think the word or "is", or "let it be", is wanting in the last clause, and may be read, "which thing is true in him, and is", or "let it be in you": that is, as love to the brethren is true and sincere in Christ, so it is, or should be in you; it should be without dissimulation, and so it was, as the reason following shows:
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because the darkness is past, or is "passing"; meaning either the darkness of the ceremonial law, which lay in dark types and shadows, and in cloudy sacrifices, and mystical representations of things, and was a shadow of good things to come; and its shadows were now fleeing away apace, in fact as well as in right; and so the Alexandrian copy reads, "because the shadow is passing away"; the night of Jewish darkness was far spent, and the Gospel day was not only broke, but it was, or near noonday, which brought the light of faith, and the heat of love with it: or else the darkness of sin and ignorance, of a state of nature, and of the kingdom of Satan, in which the people of God are before conversion; which then passes away gradually, by little and little, for it is not removed at once, or wholly gone; for though the saints are at once removed out of a state of darkness, and from the kingdom of darkness, and the power of it, yet they are not wholly free from the darkness of sin and ignorance, they still see but through a glass darkly: and the words are better rendered, the darkness passes", or "is passing away", and not is past", or "has passed away"; for as yet it is not entirely gone;
and the true light now shineth; either the Gospel, which is a light, and a true and substantial one, in distinction from the dim light of nature, or the shadowy law of Moses; and which now, under the present dispensation, shines out in a most glorious manner, as the sun in its full strength; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "the light of truth"; the word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation: or Jesus Christ, who is so called, Joh 1:9; in distinction from typical lights, as the "Urim" on the high priest's breastplate, the candlestick in the tabernacle and temple, and the pillar of fire by night, which guided the Israelites through the wilderness; and in opposition to all false lights, to the Scribes and Pharisees, to false Christs and false prophets, which are so many "ignes fatui"; but Christ is the sun of righteousness that is risen in our "horizon", and the true light which shines out in a most illustrious manner: or the light of grace is here intended, that light which the Spirit of God illuminates with in conversion; in which a man sees sin in its true colours, and has a spiritual and saving sight of Christ, of pardon, peace, life, righteousness, and salvation by him; which is no other than the light of faith, by which an enlightened person sees the Son, looks to him, and has an evidence of the unseen glories of another world. Now this is a true light, things are seen by the believer in a right light, both his own sins, and the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ; this is a shining one, which cannot but be observed by himself, and shines more and more to the perfect day; and it now shines as it did not before, in a state of nature, and continues to shine, and ever will: this light will never be put out, and is the cause of brotherly love, being truly in the saints, and of the continuance of it; before this light shines, men live in malice, but when it comes and shines, as they walk in light, they walk in love.
(c) Yalkut Simconi, par. 2. fol. 461.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Again, I do write a new commandment to you…
Again, I do write a new commandment to you - Namely, with regard to loving one another. A commandment which, though it also was given long ago, yet is truly new in him and in you. It was exemplified in him, and is now fulfilled by you, in such a manner as it never was before. For there is no comparison between the state of the Old Testament believers, and that which ye now enjoy: the darkness of that dispensation is passed away; and Christ the true light now shineth in your hearts.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Verse 8. Which thing is true in him and…
Verse 8. Which thing is true in him and in you] It is true that Christ loved the world so well as to lay down his life for it; and it was true in them, in all his faithful followers at that time, who were ready to lay down their lives for the testimony of Jesus. There is a saying in Synopsis Sohar, p. 94, n. 51, that may cast some light on this passage: That way in which the just have walked, although it be OLD, yet may be said to be NEW in the love of the righteous. The love that the righteous bear to God and to each other is a renewal of the commandment.
The darkness is past] The total thick darkness of the heathen world, and the comparative darkness of the Mosaic dispensation, are now passing away; and the pure and superior light of Christianity is now diffusing its beams everywhere. He does not say that the darkness was all gone by, but παραγεται, it is passing away; he does not say that the fulness of the light had appeared, but ηδηφαινει, it is now shining and will shine more and more to the perfect day; for the darkness passes away in proportion as the light shines and increases.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v9 1Jn 2:9-11. He that saith he is in the…
1Jn 2:9-11. He that saith he is in the light — In Christ; united to him, and truly enlightened by the gospel and the grace of God; and yet hateth his brother — (The very name shows the love due to him;) is in darkness until now — Void of Christ, and of all true light. He that loveth his brother — See 1Jn 3:14; abideth in the light — Thereby shows that he possesses the saving knowledge of God and of Christ, and that he is truly enlightened with the doctrine of the gospel. And there is none occasion of stumbling in him — He walks so as neither to give nor take offence. The apostle alludes here to Christ’s words, (Joh 11:9,) If any one walk in the day he doth not stumble, &c. By expelling ill-will, pride, anger, immoderate selfishness, and all other evil passions, which are occasions of sin, love removes every stumbling-block lying in our way, and enables us to do our duty to our brethren in Christ, or to mankind in general, with ease and pleasure. But he that hateth his brother — And he must hate if he does not love him; there is no medium; is in darkness — In a state of spiritual blindness, of sin, perplexity, and entanglement. For his malevolence blinds his reason to such a degree that he does not see what is right, and it extinguishes every virtuous inclination which would lead him to practise what in right, and puts him wholly under the power of bad passions; so that, in this darkness, he is in danger not only of stumbling, but of destroying himself; not knowing whither he goeth — Whether to heaven or hell, or how near he is to destruction; while he that loves his brother has a free, disencumbered journey.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Again, a new commandment I write unto you -…
Again, a new commandment I write unto you - “And yet, that which I write to you, and particularly enjoin on you, deserves in another sense to be called a new commandment, though it has been also inculcated from the beginning, for it was called new by the Saviour himself.” Or the meaning may be, “In addition to the general precepts which I have referred to, I do now call your attention to the new commandment of the Saviour, that which he himself called new.” There can be no doubt here that John refers to the commandment to “love one another,” (see 1Jo 2:9-11), and that it is here called new, not in the sense that John inculcated it as a novel doctrine, but in the sense that the Saviour called it such. For the reasons why it was so called by him, see the notes at Joh 13:34.
Which thing is true in him - In the Lord Jesus. That is, which commandment or law of love was illustrated in him, or was manifested by him in his contact with his disciples. That which was most prominent in him was this very love which he enjoined on all his followers.
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And in you - Among you. That is, you have manifested it in your contact with each other. It is not new in the sense that you have never heard of it, and have never evinced it, but in the sense only that he called it new.
Because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth - The ancient systems of error, under which people hated each other, have passed away, and you are brought into the light of the true religion. Once you were in darkness, like others; now the light of the pure gospel shines around you, and that requires, as its distinguishing characteristic, love. Religion is often represented as light; and Christ spoke of himself, and was spoken of, as the Light of the world. See the notes at Joh 1:4-5. Compare Joh 8:12; Joh 12:35-36, Joh 12:46; Isa 9:2.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv8–11 a new commandment--It was "old," in that Christians as…
a new commandment--It was "old," in that Christians as such had heard it from the first; but "new" (Greek, "kaine," not "nea": new and different from the old legal precept) in that it was first clearly promulgated with Christianity; though the inner spirit of the law was love even to enemies, yet it was enveloped in some bitter precepts which caused it to be temporarily almost unrecognized, till the Gospel came. Christianity first put love to brethren on the new and highest MOTIVE, instinctive love to Him who first loved us, constraining us to love all, even enemies, thereby walking in the steps of Him who loved us when enemies. So Jesus calls it "new," Joh 13:34-35, "Love one another as I have loved you" (the new motive); Joh 15:12.
which thing is true in him and in you--"In Christ all things are always true, and were so from the beginning; but in Christ and in us conjointly the commandment [the love of brethren] is then true when we acknowledge the truth which is in Him, and have the same flourishing in us" [BENGEL]. ALFORD explains, "Which thing (the fact that the commandment is a new one) is true in Him and in you because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is now shining; that is, the commandment is a new one, and this is true both in the case of Christ and in the case of you; because in you the darkness is passing away, and in Him the true light is shining; therefore, on both accounts, the command is a new one: new as regards you, because you are newly come from darkness into light; new as regards Him, because He uttered it when He came into the world to lighten every man, and began that shining which even now continues." I prefer, as BENGEL, to explain, The new commandment finds its truth in its practical realization in the walk of Christians in union with Christ. Compare the use of "verily," Jo1 2:5. Joh 4:42, "indeed"; Joh 6:55. The repetition of "in" before "you," "in Him and in you," not "in Him and you" implies that the love commandment finds its realization separately: first it did so "in Him," and then it does so "in us," in so far as we now "also walk even as He walked"; and yet it finds its realization also conjointly, by the two being united in one sentence, even as it is by virtue of the love commandment having been first fulfilled in Him, that it is also now fulfilled in us, through His Spirit in us: compare a similar case, Joh 20:17, "My Father and your Father"; by virtue of His being "My Father," He is also your Father.
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darkness is past--rather, as in Jo1 2:17, "is passing away." It shall not be wholly "past" until "the Sun of righteousness" shall arise visibly; "the light is now shining" already, though but partially until the day bursts forth.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v9 9. The 1Jn_2:9-11 are a resumption of the thread…
9. The 1Jn_2:9-11 are a resumption of the thread of thought from 1Jn_2:6, after the parenthetic 7, 8.
In the light—Namely, the true light of the last verse, Jesus the propitiator. It is under the imagery of light and darkness, now, (in 9-11,) that the antithesis between the Christian and the errorist is presented. The light is the emblem of truth and purity blended in one; the darkness is the unity of error and sin.
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Hateth his brother—His brother, in the various degrees in which that title can be applied to his fellow-man. Love of various degrees and kinds is due to the brother in each sense, as fellow-believer, as child of the same human parent, as child of the same all-Father. As John is expounding the fellowship of the believer with Christ and God, it is in the first sense that the word brother is here primarily used.
In darkness—Destitute of the divine light and love. He is spiritually dark and cold.
Until now—How much soever he may have professed to be in the light.
10, 11, restate strongly the antithesis between fraternal love and hatred, presenting it as the prominent test of our moral condition.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv8–11 8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you,…
8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true] Or, Again, as a new commandment I write unto you a thing which is true. Or, Again, a new commandment write I unto you, namely that which is true. It is difficult to decide between these three renderings; but the third is simpler than the first. Both Tyndale and the Genevan Version have ‘a thing that is true’. If we adopt the rendering of A. V. and R. V., the meaning seems to be, that the newness of the commandment is true, both in the case of Christ, who promulgated it afresh, and in the case of you, who received it afresh. If we prefer the simpler rendering, the meaning will be, that what has already been shewn to be true by the pattern life of Christ and by the efforts of Christians to imitate it, is now given by S. John as a new commandment. The ‘Again’ introduces a new view: that which from one point of view was an old commandment, from another was a new one. It was old, but not obsolete, ancient but not antiquated: it had been renewed in a fuller sense; it had received a fresh sanction. Thus both those who feared innovations and those who disliked what was stale might feel satisfied.
in Him and in you] Note the double preposition, implying that it is true in the case of Christ in a different sense from that in which it is true in the case of Christians. He reissued the commandment and was the living embodiment and example of it; they accepted it and endeavoured to follow it: both illustrated its truth and soundness. See on 1Jn_1:3, where ‘with’ is repeated, and on Joh_20:2, where ‘to’ is repeated. The reading ‘in us’ is certainly to be rejected.
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because the darkness is past] Rather, is passing away (1Jn_2:17): present tense of a process still going on (1Jn_2:17). All earlier English Versions are wrong here, from Wiclif onwards, misled by transierunt tenebrae in the Vulgate. On ‘darkness’ see on 1Jn_1:5. The ‘because’ introduces the reason why he writes as a new commandment what has been proved true by the example of Christ and their own experience. The ideal state of things, to which the perfect fulfilment of this commandment belongs, has already begun: ‘The darkness is on the wane, the true light is shewing its power; therefore I bid you to walk as children of light’. Comp. 1Th_5:5.
the true light now shineth] Or, the light, the true (light), is already shining or, giving light: the article is repeated, as in the case of ‘the life, the eternal (life)’ in 1Jn_1:2, and ‘the commandment, the old (commandment)’ in 1Jn_2:7; and if we have ‘is passing’ rather than ‘passeth’, we should have ‘is shining’ rather than ‘shineth’. Here we have not precisely the same word for ‘true’ as in the previous sentence. In ‘a thing which is true’ (ἀληθές) ‘true’ is opposed to ‘lying’: here ‘true’ (ἀληθινὸν) is opposed to ‘spurious’, and is just the old English ‘very’. In ‘Very God of very God’ in the Nicene Creed, ‘very’ represents the word here rendered ‘true’. ‘True’ in this sense means ‘genuine’, or ‘that which realises the idea formed of it’, and hence ‘perfect.’ Christ and the Gospel are ‘the perfect light’ in opposition to the imperfect light of the Law and the Prophets and the false light of Gnostic philosophy. This form of the word ‘true’ is almost peculiar to S. John: it occurs 4 times in this Epistle, 9 times in the Gospel and 10 times in the Apocalypse: elsewhere in the N.T. only 5 times. Christ in the Gospel is called ‘the perfect Vine’ (Joh_15:1), ‘the perfect Bread’ (Joh_6:32) and ‘the perfect Light’ (1Jn_1:9). It is comparatively unimportant whether we interpret ‘the perfect light’ here to mean Christ, or the light of the truth, or the kingdom of heaven: but Joh_1:5; Joh_1:9 will certainly incline us to the first of these interpretations. The contrast with the impersonal darkness does not disprove this here any more than in Joh_1:5. Darkness is never personal; it is not an effluence from Satan as light is from God or from Christ. It is the result, not of the presence of the evil one, but of the absence of God. Comp. ‘Ye were once darkness, but now light in the Lord: walk as children of light’ (Eph_5:8).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v9 (6) Here (1Jn_2:9-11) is the chief way in which…
(6) Here (1Jn_2:9-11) is the chief way in which the old commandment, the new commandment, the word from the beginning, the walk in light would be manifested: brotherly love towards those with whom we have fellowship in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. And as He, by being the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, had declared the universality of God’s family and kingdom, so the sympathy of believers would extend in different degrees as far as the whole human race; to those first who were conscious of the same hopes as themselves; to those next who might be brought to share them; to those, perhaps, in a less degree, who in every nation feared God and worked righteousness without knowing the Saviour personally; and so on, finally, to all who did not wilfully excommunicate themselves. But the brotherly love would be chiefly amongst Christian friends, else it would be diffused into nothingness.
(9) He that saith . . .—The whole history of religious rancour has been a deplorable illustration of these words. Controversy for principles honestly and reasonably held is one thing: prejudice, spite, private censures and condemnations, harsh words, suspicions, jealousies, misunderstandings and misrepresentations are the chief props of the kingdom of darkness among Christian churches and nations. (Comp. Joh_13:34; Joh_15:12; 1Co_13:2; 1Pe_1:22; 2Pe_1:7-9.)
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Hateth means not merely the absence of love, but the presence, in ever so small a degree, of dislike or any of the feelings already described, or those kindred to them.
(10) He that loveth.—From the associations connected with love in poetry and romance this saying sounds strange. But all such love is tinged with passion, and the desire of satisfying some personal lack; this is the pure disinterested seeking for another’s welfare, of which Christ was the great example. It is that which the modern scientific non-Christian world is trying to make its religion; but without the Christian motive, and cultivated for its own sake instead of by the working of the Spirit of God, it seems artificial and powerless.
Occasion of stumbling.—Stumbling - blok. (Comp. Isa_8:14; Isa_28:16; Psa_119:165; Joh_11:9-10; Rom_9:33; Rom_14:13; 1Co_1:23; 1Pe_2:7.) When love such as Christ’s is the ruling principle of life, then the stumbling-blocks of human nature are removed—such as impurity, pride, selfishness, anger, envy, suspicion, unsympathetic coldness, censoriousness.
(11) But he that hateth.—1Jn_2:10 was an antithesis to 1Jn_2:9; 1Jn_2:11 is, after St. John’s manner, an antithesis again to 1Jn_2:10, putting the matter of 1Jn_2:9 more strongly and fully, and forcibly concluding the section which describes the walk in the light.
Walketh in darkness.—This describes the acts of the man whose selfishness or other sins interfere with his love. Such are all insisting upon class distinctions; all ambitions, political, social, or personal; everything that savours of shrinking from “in honour preferring one another.”
Knoweth not whither he goeth.—This refers to the “occasion of stumbling” in 1Jn_2:10. He is sure to stumble; is like a blind man groping his way among pitfalls; has all the snares of human nature within him. (Comp. Isa_6:9 et seq.; Mat_13:14 et seq.; Joh_12:40; Act_28:26; 2Co_4:4.)
Hath blinded.—Just as it is we ourselves who make the gate strait and the way narrow, so it is our own fault if the darkness settles down on our eyes.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv8–11 Again. The palin indicates another point of view what…
Again. The palin indicates another point of view what in one sense was not fresh, in another sense was so. It is impossible to be certain as to the meaning of o ejstin ajlhqev k.t.l.. It may mean
(1) "which thing (the newness of the command) is true; or
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(2) "as a fresh commandment I am writing to you a thing which is true.
But for the practical example of the life of Christ, and men"s acceptance of it, the command to love one"s neighbour might have remained old and become obsolete.
Oti is almost certainly "because," not "that;" it introduces the reason why he writes, not the substance of, the fresh commandment. How can "the darkness is passing away," etc., be a commandment? The light, the true light to fwv ton; i.e., the real, the perfect, the very light, that which most fully realizes the ideal of light; in opposition to those "wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever". (Jud_1:13; cf Joh_1:4, 9 6:32 15:1) Christ is the perfect Light, as he is the perfect Bread and the perfect Vine.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v9 He that … hateth his brother is in darkness
1Jn_2:9-11
He that … hateth his brother is in darkness
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Brotherly love a test and means of being and abiding with guileless spirit in the light instead of walking in darkness
I.
Brotherly love consists in this--that they in whom, as in Christ, this thing is true, that the darkness is passing and the true light is shining, recognise one another as, in that character and on that account, brethren. For, first, in Christ, our position with reference to that darkness is changed from what it naturally is. It is reversed. The terrible flood is not now carrying us away; we stem it holding Him--He holding us. We see it passing. Now all is changed. By grace in Christ I am in a new way. As I feebly open my heavy eyes in the upper atmosphere I am now beginning to breathe, what bright warm beam is that which lightens up the face of Him in whose arms I am, and lightens up my heart as I look and gaze on Him and cling and grow to Him? It is the Father loving me as He loveth Him. It is the darkness passing and the true light now shining. Then, as the first confused and rapturous joy of my own narrow escape becomes collected and calm, I look around. And I see Him--for He multiplies Himself and is everywhere--I see Him doing the same kind office to one, and another, and another still, that He is doing to me, I see Him embracing them because He loved them and gave Himself for them. Shall I not hail them as my brethren? Can I hate, or refuse to love, one who is my brother on such a footing as that?
II. Hence it is that the existence of this brotherly love is a fitting test of our being in the light. At all events, the absence of it is conclusive proof that we are not. Light is in itself--in its very nature and bare shining--a great extinguisher of hatred, especially of hatred among those who should be brethren. It is in the darkness that mistakes occur and misunderstandings arise. It is in the darkness that injuries are brooded over and angry passions nursed. If you, brother, and I, are at variance, it is almost certain to be because there is some darkness about us that hinders us from seeing one another clearly. Hence we imagine evil of one another and impute evil to one another. Let in the light. Let us see one another clearly. Differences between us may still remain; our views of many things may be wide as the poles asunder. But we see that we are men of like passions and like affections with one another. The light shows us that we are true brethren in spite of all.
III. The exercise of brotherly love is fitted to be the means of our continuing in the light, So as to avoid the risk of falling (1Jn_2:10). Two benefits are here. First, positively, by means of brotherly love we abide in the light. The law of action and reaction is here very noticeable. Being in the light begets brotherly love, and brotherly love secures abiding in the light. For this brotherly love is simply love to the true light, as I see it shining in my brother as it shines in Christ. And such love to the true light, wherever and in whomsoever it is seen shining as it shines in Christ, must needs cause me to grow up more and more into the true light myself; to grow up into Christ and God in Christ. Secondly, there is none occasion of stumbling in Him. This is a negative advantage; but it is great. Saved yourselves by grace, gratuitous and rich and full; loved with an everlasting love; grasped in the arms, in the bosom, of Him in whom and in you, as now one, the darkness is passing and the true light is now shining--your spirit is free, your heart enlarged. Being loved, you love. The scales of selfishness fall from off your eyes. Christ sends you to His brethren: Go tell My brethren. And as you go to them with Christs message and on Christs errand, and make them more and more your brethren as they are His, you clearly see your way. He makes it clear. And you walk at liberty when you have respect to all His commandments, loving your brother, and so abiding in the light. (R. S. Candlish, D. D.)
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light--
Moral darkness
Note the solemn and picturesque eloquence of the accessional parallelism in this verse. The inner condition of him who hates his brother--is in darkness; the outward life--walketh in darkness (Psa_82:5; Ecc_2:14). He has lost his point of orientation--he knoweth not whither he goeth, to what unsurmised guilt and punishment. Something follows, worse than darkness above--the darkness has not only blinded him, but blinded his very eyes once for all. He has lost the very faculty of sight! Could the apostle have thought of creatures who, in dark caverns, not only lose the faculty of sight, but have the visive organs atrophied? Tennyson has presentedthe same image, applying it, however, not to sin, but to sorrow--
But the night has crept into my heart,
And begun to darken my eyes.
(Abp. Wm. Alexander.)
Hatred causes stumbling
He who hates his brother stumbles against himself and everything within and without; he who loves has an unimpeded path. (A. J. Bechtel.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv8–11 8. Again, a new commandment. Yet this commandment, the…
8. Again, a new commandment. Yet this commandment, the substance of which is brotherly love, is in one sense new (see John 13:34), because it was first taught them by Christ. Which thing is true. Its truth is shown in the life of Christ and in your life. Because the darkness is past. The truth of the new commandment is shown because you have come out of the darkness and are walking in the light that shineth. He that keeps the new commandment walks in the light.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v9 9-11. These verses follow a legitimate sequence from the…
9-11. These verses follow a legitimate sequence from the definition of divine law in contradistinction to human. God loves His enemies enough to die for them. So do you when you have His nature unencumbered with depravity.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v9 General Information:
General Information:
Here the word "brother" refers to a fellow Christian.
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The one who says
"Anyone who says" or "Someone who claims." This does not refer to a specific person.
he is in the light
Here to be "in the light" is a metaphor for doing what is right. AT: "he does what is right" (See: Metaphor)
is in the darkness
Here to be "in the darkness" is a metaphor for doing what is evil. AT: "does what is evil" (See: Metaphor)
there is no occasion for stumbling in him
"nothing will cause him to stumble." The word "stumbling" is a metaphor that means to fail spiritually or morally. AT: "nothing will cause him to sin" or "he will not fail to do what is pleasing to God" (See: Metaphor)
is in the darkness and walks in the darkness
Here "walk" is a metaphor for how a person lives or behaves. Here to be "in the darkness" and "walks in the darkness" mean the same thing. This brings attention to how evil it is to hate a fellow believer. AT: "does what is evil" (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)
he does not know where he is going
This is a metaphor for the believer who is not living as a Christian should be living. AT: "he does not know what he should do" (See: Metaphor)
the darkness has blinded his eyes
"the darkness has made him unable to see." Darkness is a metaphor for sin or evil. AT: "sin has made it impossible for him to understand the truth" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
light
brother
darkness
love
walk
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8–10 2:8 Yet it is also new: Jesus’ command provided…
2:8 Yet it is also new: Jesus’ command provided the new basis for their love in his own demonstration of love to the disciples (John 13:1-17). • the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining: The light of the Good News expels darkness. Darkness cannot overcome it, especially where believers are living out the love that is in Christ.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.