1 John 2:5

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 2:5

But whoso keepeth his word ,.... Either the word of the Gospel, and the truths of it, who receives it in love, cordially embraces and retains it, and will by no means part with it, but holds it fast, and stands fast in it; or the precepts and ordinances of the word, who loves these, and esteems them above fine gold, and concerning all things to be right, and observes them as they should be: in him verily is the love of God perfected : not the love wherewith God loves him, for that is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:5

But whoso keepeth his word - Conscientiously observes his doctrine, the spirit and letter of the religion of Christ. Is the love of God perfected - The design of God's love in sending Jesus Christ into the world to die for the sin of man τετελειωται , is accomplished, in that man who receives the doctrine, and applies for the salvation provided for him. This seems to be the meaning of the apostle. That we are in him - That we have entered into his spirit and views, received his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:5

Verse 5 5But whoso keepeth He now defines what a true keeping of God’s law is, even to love God. This passage is, I think, incorrectly explained by those who understand that they please the true God who keephis word. Rather take this as its meaning, “to love God in sincerity of heart, is to keep his commandments.” For he intended, as I have before reminded you, briefly to shew what God requires from us, and what is the holiness of the faithful. Moses also said the same thing, when he stated the... 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 2:3-5

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:5

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

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