1 John 2:6

1 John 2:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
• New International Version (NIV)Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
• English Standard Version (ESV)whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Context of 1 John 2:6

4Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. 5But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself. 7Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the message which you have heard [before from us]. 8On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true and realized in Christ and in you, because the darkness [of moral blindness] is clearing away and the true Light [the revelation of God in Christ] is already shining.

1 John 2:6 word by word

ὁ λέγων ἐν αὐτῷ μένειν ὀφείλει, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος περιεπάτησεν, καὶ αὐτὸς οὕτως περιπατεῖν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• he abidethμένωmenō · to stayG3306
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• oughtὀφείλωopheilō opheileō · to oweG3784
• himselfἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• also soκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• to walkπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• asοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588

Cross-references for 1 John 2:6

• 1 John 2:4Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him.
• 1 John 1:6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth;
• 1 John 2:28Now, little children (believers, dear ones), remain in Him [with unwavering faith], so that when He appears [at His return], we may have [perfect] confidence and not be ashamed and shrink away from Him at His coming.
• 1 John 3:6No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him.
• John 15:4Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.
• 1 John 1:7but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
• Psalms 85:13Righteousness will go before Him And will make His footsteps into a way [in which to walk].
• Matthew 11:29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.
• John 13:15For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
• Ephesians 5:2and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
• 1 Peter 2:21For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.

Commentaries on 1 John 2:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Abideth in him - He who not only professes to have known Christ, but also that he has communion with him, and abides in his favor, should prove the truth of his profession by walking as Christ walked; living a life of devotion and obedience to God, and of benevolence and beneficence to his neighbor. Thus Christ walked; and he has left us an example that we should follow his steps. To be in Christ, 1 John 2:5, is to be converted to the Christian faith, and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6He that saith, he abideth in him - Greek, “remains” in him; that is, abides or remains in the belief of his doctrines, and in the comfort and practice of religion. The expression is one of those which refer to the intimate union between Christ and his people. A great variety of phrase is employed to denote that. For the meaning of this word in John, see the notes at 1 John 3:6. Ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked - Ought to live and act as he…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-11Verses 3-11 What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world, and this is man's regeneration; though never absolutely perfect here. Yet this observing…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-6Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will walk as Jesus walked, united with God and showing love for others.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. abideth--implying a condition lasting, without intermission, and without end. He that saith ... ought--so that his deeds may be consistent with his words. even as he--Believers readily supply the name, their hearts being full of Him (compare Joh 20:15). "Even as He walked" when on earth, especially in respect to love. John delights in referring to Christ as the model man, with the words, "Even as He," &c. "It is not Christ's walking on the sea, but His…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 John 2:6

• Example
• Fellowship
• Obedience
• Righteous
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Acknowledge
• Advocate
• Fellowship
• Lie
• Stumble
• Johannine Theology
• John, the Epistles of

Commentaries on 1 John 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings