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1 John 2:5
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The Test of Knowing Him

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a aliar, and the truth is not in him.  
5 But awhoever keeps His word, truly the love of God1 is perfected bin him. By this we know that we are in Him.  
6 aHe who says he abides in Him bought himself also to walk just as He walked.  
7 1Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had afrom the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard2 from the beginning.  
8 Again, aa new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, bbecause the darkness is passing away, and cthe true light is already shining.  
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< 1 John 2:4   1 John 2:6 >>


1 John 2:5

But whoso keepeth his word - That is, what he has spoken or commanded, The term "word" here will include all that he has made known to us as his will in regard to our conduct.

In him verily is the love of God perfected - He professes to have the love of God in his heart, and that love receives its completion or filling up by obedience to the will of God. That obedience is the proper carrying out, or the exponent of the love which exists in the heart. Love to the Saviour would be defective without that, for it is never complete without obedience. If this be the true interpretation, then the passage does not make any affirmation about sinless perfection, but it only affirms that if true love exists in the heart, it will be carried out in the life; or that love and obedience are parts of the same thing; that one will be manifested by the other; and that where obedience exists, it is the completion or perfecting of love. Besides, the apostle does not say that either the love or the obedience would be in themselves absolutely perfect; but he says that one cannot fully develop itself without the other.

Hereby know we that we are in him - That is, by having in fact such love as shall insure obedience. To be in him, is to be united to him; to be his friends. Compare the John 6:56 note; Romans 13:14 note.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 John 2:5:

John 15:9
2 Corinthians 5:1
Philippians 3:12

 

<< 1 John 2:4   1 John 2:6 >>

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