FocusObedience and brotherly love
Connection to the wholeProvision for sin is joined to commands and love, preventing assurance from being separated from walking as Jesus walked.
interpretation 1 John 2:7
KJVBrethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Read it in context
The advocate and the test of knowing
Start reading at 1 John 2:1 (1 John 2:1 to 1 John 2:11).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Provision for sin is joined to commands and love, preventing assurance from being separated from walking as Jesus walked.
- 2:1 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:
- 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
- 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
- 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
- 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
- 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
- 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
- 2:8 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.
- 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
- 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
- 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author, associated with the eyewitness testimony and teaching also found in the Gospel of John. Biblical references: 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:3. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Epistles of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 John 1:1–2:29): The writer addresses his Christian readers as children and beloved, explaining fellowship and obedience and warning about those who departed from the community. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Believers in the name of the Son of God, addressed as children and beloved, facing false teaching and a separation within their community. No city is named. Biblical references: 1 John 2:19; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 5:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The advocate and the test of knowing. Read 1 John 2:1 through 1 John 2:11 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Provision for sin is joined to commands and love, preventing assurance from being separated from walking as Jesus walked. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The writing addresses current claims, departures, and conduct among its readers without supplying a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? No city of destination or composition is explicitly named. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The advocate and the test of knowing (1 John 2:1 to 1 John 2:11). Start reading at 1 John 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The writing centers on Jesus Christ come in the flesh, His cleansing and advocacy, and abiding in Him. Love and obedience are presented as tests of claimed fellowship. See 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Test claims of fellowship by truth, love, and obedience. Assurance should be read with the letter's calls to abide and its warnings about deception. interpretation
Cited: 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:11, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe letter does not name its author, but claims eyewitness testimony of the Word of life.
1 John 1:1
Early traditionEarly testimony names John the apostle, and the style closely matches the Gospel of John.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- I write 1 John 3:11 Acts 17:19 2 John 1:5
- but Lev 19:18,34 Deut 6:5 Matt 5:43 Matt 22:37-40 Mark 12:29-34 Rom 13:8-10 Gal 5:13-14 Jas 2:8-12
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 John 2
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
1 John 1:3 1 John 2:1 1 John 2:12 1 John 5:13
The readers and the world
1 John 2:12–17FocusStrength and rightly ordered love
Connection to the wholeThe addressed groups are encouraged in their standing, then warned against loving the world and its passing desires.
interpretation Antichrists and abiding
1 John 2:18–29FocusContinue in the received truth
Connection to the wholeThe departure of some and denial concerning Jesus lead to an appeal to remain in the message heard from the beginning and abide in Him.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 John
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
1 John 1:3 1 John 2:1 1 John 2:12 1 John 5:13
The witnessed life and fellowship
1 John 1:1–2:2FocusLight, confession, and the advocate
Connection to the wholeThe opening testimony leads to tests of walking in the light and to the provision for sin through Jesus Christ.
interpretation FocusObedience, love, and resisted deception
Connection to the wholeThe letter tests claims to know God, warns against the world and antichrists, and urges the readers to abide in what they heard.
interpretation Children of God and discernment
1 John 3:1–4:6FocusRighteousness, love, and tested spirits
Connection to the wholeThe community's identity is connected to conduct and love, while competing spiritual claims are tested by their confession concerning Jesus Christ.
interpretation Love, faith, and testimony
1 John 4:7–5:12FocusGod's love and life in His Son
Connection to the wholeThe argument connects God's initiating love with mutual love, obedient faith, and the testimony God has given concerning His Son.
interpretation Assurance and final instruction
1 John 5:13–21FocusPrayer, guarding, and the true God
Connection to the wholeThe closing purpose statement joins assurance with prayer and watchfulness, ending with the warning to keep from idols.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.