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Selected Verse: 1 John 2:3 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Jo 2:3 |
King James |
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| 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. |
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.