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Selected Verse: 1 John 2:3 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Jo 2:3	Strong Concordance	And [2532] hereby [1722] [5129] we do know [1097] that [3754] we know [1097] him [846], if [1437] we keep [5083] his [846] commandments [1785].
	King James	And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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" (Jo1 2:4, Jo1 2:13-14). 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" (Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:29); our "Advocate and Intercessor." keep--John's favorite word, instead of "do," literally, "watch," "guard," and "keep safe" as a precious thing; observing so as to keep. So Christ Himself. Not faultless conformity, but hearty acceptance of, and willing subjection to, God's whole revealed will, is meant. commandments--injunctions of faith, love, and obedience. John never uses "the law" to express the rule of Christian obedience: he uses it as the Mosaic law.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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" (Jo1 2:4, Jo1 2:13-14). 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" (Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:29); our "Advocate and Intercessor."

keep--John's favorite word, instead of "do," literally, "watch," "guard," and "keep safe" as a precious thing; observing so as to keep. So Christ Himself. Not faultless conformity, but hearty acceptance of, and willing subjection to, God's whole revealed will, is meant.

commandments--injunctions of faith, love, and obedience. John never uses "the law" to express the rule of Christian obedience: he uses it as the Mosaic law.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 Joh 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 of the nature of the evidence required to show that we are personally interested in it, or that we are true Christians. A large part of the Epistle is occupied with this subject. The first, the grand evidence - that without which all others would be vain - he says is, that we keep his commandments. If we keep his commandments - See the notes at Joh 14:15. Compare Joh 14:23-24; Joh 15:10, Joh 15:14.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
commandments John uses "commandments" (1) in the general sense of the divine will, however revealed, "his word"; (Jo1 2:5); and (2) especially of the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2); (Jo2 1:5). See also (Joh 15:10-12).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Hereby (ἐν τούτῳ) Lit., in this. Characteristic of John. See Joh 8:35; Joh 15:8; Joh 16:30; Jo1 2:5; Jo1 3:24; Jo1 4:13; Jo1 5:2; Jo1 3:16; Jo1 3:19; Jo1 4:2. The expression points to what follows, "if we keep His commandments," yet with a covert reference to that idea as generally implied in the previous words concerning fellowship with God and walking in the light. We know (γινώσκομεν) Or, perceive. By experience, from day to day; distinguished from οἴδαμεν we know, expressing absolute, immediate knowledge of a fact once for all. Compare Jo1 3:2. That we know (ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν) Or, more literally, have come to know. John does not use the compound forms ἐπιγινώσκειν and ἐπίγνωσις (see on Mat 7:16. See Luk 1:4; Act 4:13; Rom 1:28; Eph 1:17, etc.), nor the kindred word γνῶσις knowledge (Luk 1:77; Rom 2:20, etc.). We keep His commandments (τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν) A phrase peculiar to John and occurring elsewhere only Mat 19:17; Ti1 6:14. In Co1 7:19, we find τήρησις ἐντολῶν the keeping of the commandments. On τηρέω to keep, see on Pe1 1:5.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
And hereby we know that we truly and savingly know him - As he is the advocate, the righteous, the propitiation. If we keep his commandments - Particularly those of faith and love.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
And hereby we do know that we know him - If we keep the commandments of God, loving him with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, we have the fullest proof that we have the true saving knowledge of God and his Christ. The Gnostics pretended to much knowledge, but their knowledge left them in possession of all their bad passions and unholy habits; they, therefore, gave no proof that they had known either God or his Son Jesus - nor is any man properly acquainted with God, who is still under the power of his sins.

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²⁹ If [1437] ye know [1492] that [3754] he is [2076] righteous [1342], ye know [1097] that [3754] every one [3956] that doeth [4160] righteousness [1343] is born [1080] of [1537] him [846].

¹ My [3450] little children [5040], these things [5023] write I [1125] unto you [5213], that [3363] ye sin [264] not [3363]. And [2532] if [1437] any man [5100] sin [264], we have [2192] an advocate [3875] with [4314] the Father [3962], Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] the righteous [1342]:

¹³ I write [1125] unto you [5213], fathers [3962], because [3754] ye have known [1097] him that is from [575] the beginning [746]. I write [1125] unto you [5213], young men [3495], because [3754] ye have overcome [3528] the wicked one [4190]. I write [1125] unto you [5213], little children [3813], because [3754] ye have known [1097] the Father [3962].
¹⁴ I have written [1125] unto you [5213], fathers [3962], because [3754] ye have known [1097] him that is from [575] the beginning [746]. I have written [1125] unto you [5213], young men [3495], because [3754] ye are [2075] strong [2478], and [2532] the word [3056] of God [2316] abideth [3306] in [1722] you [5213], and [2532] ye have overcome [3528] the wicked one [4190].

⁴ He that saith [3004], I know [1097] him [846], and [2532] keepeth [5083] not [3361] his [846] commandments [1785], is [2076] a liar [5583], and [2532] the truth [225] is [2076] not [3756] in [1722] him [5129].

¹⁴ Ye [5210] are [2075] my [3450] friends [5384], if [1437] ye do [4160] whatsoever [3745] I [1473] command [1781] you [5213].

²³ Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], If [1437] a man [5100] love [25] me [3165], he will keep [5083] my [3450] words [3056]: and [2532] my [3450] Father [3962] will love [25] him [846], and [2532] we will come [2064] unto [4314] him [846], and [2532] make [4160] our abode [3438] with [3844] him [846].
²⁴ He that loveth [25] me [3165] not [3361] keepeth [5083] not [3756] my [3450] sayings [3056]: and [2532] the word [3056] which [3739] ye hear [191] is [2076] not [3756] mine [1699], but [235] the Father's [3962] which [3588] sent [3992] me [3165].

¹⁵ If [1437] ye love [25] me [3165], keep [5083] my [1699] commandments [1785].

³ And [1161] this [3778] is [2076] life [2222] eternal [166], that [2443] they might know [1097] thee [4571] the only [3441] true [228] God [2316], and [2532] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], whom [3739] thou hast sent [649].

¹⁰ If [1437] ye keep [5083] my [3450] commandments [1785], ye shall abide [3306] in [1722] my [3450] love [26]; even as [2531] I [1473] have kept [5083] my [3450] Father's [3962] commandments [1785], and [2532] abide [3306] in [1722] his [846] love [26].
¹¹ These things [5023] have I spoken [2980] unto you [5213], that [2443] my [1699] joy [5479] might remain [3306] in [1722] you [5213], and [2532] that your [5216] joy [5479] might be full [4137].
¹² This [3778] is [2076] my [1699] commandment [1785], That [2443] ye love [25] one another [240], as [2531] I have loved [25] you [5209].

⁵ And [2532] now [3568] I beseech [2065] thee [4571], lady [2959], not [3756] as though [5613] I wrote [1125] [1125] a new [2537] commandment [1785] unto thee [4671], but [235] that which [3739] we had [2192] from [575] the beginning [746], that [2443] we love [25] one another [240].

² Bear ye [941] one another's [240] burdens [922], and [2532] so [3779] fulfil [378] the law [3551] of Christ [5547].

⁵ But [1161] whoso [3739] keepeth [302] [5083] his [846] word [3056], in [1722] him [5129] verily [230] is [5048] the love [26] of God [2316] perfected [5048]: hereby [1722] [5129] know we [1097] that [3754] we are [2070] in [1722] him [846].

⁵ Who [3588] are kept [5432] by [1722] the power [1411] of God [2316] through [1223] faith [4102] unto [1519] salvation [4991] ready [2092] to be revealed [601] in [1722] the last [2078] time [2540].

¹⁹ Circumcision [4061] is [2076] nothing [3762], and [2532] uncircumcision [203] is [2076] nothing [3762], but [235] the keeping [5084] of the commandments [1785] of God [2316].

¹⁴ That thou [4571] keep [5083] this commandment [1785] without spot [784], unrebukeable [423], until [3360] the appearing [2015] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:

¹⁷ And [1161] he said [2036] unto him [846], Why [5101] callest thou [3004] me [3165] good [18]? there is none [3762] good [18] but [1508] one [1520], that is, God [2316]: but [1161] if [1487] thou wilt [2309] enter [1525] into [1519] life [2222], keep [5083] the commandments [1785].

²⁰ An instructor [3810] of the foolish [878], a teacher [1320] of babes [3516], which hast [2192] the form [3446] of knowledge [1108] and [2532] of the truth [225] in [1722] the law [3551].

⁷⁷ To give [1325] knowledge [1108] of salvation [4991] unto his [846] people [2992] by [1722] the remission [859] of their [846] sins [266],

¹⁷ That [2443] the God [2316] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], the Father [3962] of glory [1391], may give [1325] unto you [5213] the spirit [4151] of wisdom [4678] and [2532] revelation [602] in [1722] the knowledge [1922] of him [846]:

²⁸ And [2532] even as [2531] they did [1381] not [3756] like [1381] to retain [2192] God [2316] in [1722] their knowledge [1922], God [2316] gave [3860] them [846] over [3860] to [1519] a reprobate [96] mind [3563], to do [4160] those things which are [2520] not [3361] convenient [2520];

¹³ Now [1161] when they saw [2334] the boldness [3954] of Peter [4074] and [2532] John [2491], and [2532] perceived [2638] that [3754] they were [1526] unlearned [62] and [2532] ignorant [2399] men [444], they marvelled [2296]; and [5037] they took knowledge [1921] of them [846], that [3754] they had been [2258] with [4862] Jesus [2424].

⁴ That [2443] thou mightest know [1921] the certainty [803] of [4012] those things [3056], wherein [3739] thou hast been instructed [2727].

¹⁶ Ye shall know [1921] them [846] by [575] their [846] fruits [2590] [3385]. Do men gather [4816] grapes [4718] of [575] thorns [173], or [2228] figs [4810] of [575] thistles [5146]?

² Beloved [27], now [3568] are we [2070] the sons [5043] of God [2316], and [2532] it doth [5319] not yet [3768] appear [5319] what [5101] we shall be [2071]: but [1161] we know [1492] that [3754], when [1437] he shall appear [5319], we shall be [2071] like [3664] him [846]; for [3754] we shall see [3700] him [846] as [2531] he is [2076].

² Hereby [1722] [3739] [5129] know ye [1097] the Spirit [4151] of God [2316]: Every [3956] spirit [4151] that confesseth [3670] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561] is [2076] of [1537] God [2316]:

¹⁹ And [2532] hereby [1722] [5129] we know [1097] that [3754] we are [2070] of [1537] the truth [225], and [2532] shall assure [3982] our [2257] hearts [2588] before [1715] him [846].

¹⁶ Hereby [1722] [5129] perceive we [1097] the love [26] of God, because [3754] he [1565] laid down [5087] his [846] life [5590] for [5228] us [2257]: and [2532] we [2249] ought [3784] to lay down [5087] our lives [5590] for [5228] the brethren [80].

² By [1722] this [5129] we know [1097] that [3754] we love [25] the children [5043] of God [2316], when [3752] we love [25] God [2316], and [2532] keep [5083] his [846] commandments [1785].

¹³ Hereby [1722] [5129] know we [1097] that [3754] we dwell [3306] in [1722] him [846], and [2532] he [846] in [1722] us [2254], because [3754] he hath given [1325] us [2254] of [1537] his [846] Spirit [4151].

²⁴ And [2532] he that keepeth [5083] his [846] commandments [1785] dwelleth [3306] in [1722] him [846], and [2532] he [846] in [1722] him [846]. And [2532] hereby [1722] [5129] we know [1097] that [3754] he abideth [3306] in [1722] us [2254], by [1537] the Spirit [4151] which [3739] he hath given [1325] us [2254].

³⁰ Now [3568] are we sure [1492] that [3754] thou knowest [1492] all things [3956], and [2532] needest [5532] not [3756] [2192] that [2443] any man [5100] should ask [2065] thee [4571]: by [1722] this [5129] we believe [4100] that [3754] thou camest forth [1831] from [575] God [2316].

⁸ Herein [1722] [5129] is [1392] my [3450] Father [3962] glorified [1392], that [2443] ye bear [5342] much [4183] fruit [2590]; so [2532] shall ye be [1096] my [1699] disciples [3101].

³⁵ And [1161] the servant [1401] abideth [3306] not [3756] in [1722] the house [3614] for [1519] ever [165]: but the Son [5207] abideth [3306] [1519] ever [165].