1 John 2:3

1 John 2:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
• New International Version (NIV)We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

Context of 1 John 2:3

1My children, these things I write to you in order that ye may not sin; and if any one sin, we have a patron with the Father, Jesus Christ [the] righteous; 2and he is the propitiation for our sins; but not for ours alone, but also for the whole world. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5but whoever keeps his word, in him verily the love of God is perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him.

1 John 2:3 word by word

καὶ ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν.¶Read the interlinear

• knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• keepτηρέωtēreō · to keep: observeG5083
• commandmentsἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785

Cross-references for 1 John 2:3

• 1 John 2:4He that says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [his] brother abides in death.
• 1 John 4:13Hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, that he has given to us of his Spirit.
• 1 John 5:19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the wicked [one].
• Isaiah 53:11He shall see of [the fruit of] the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant instruct many in righteousness; and he shall bear their iniquities.
• John 17:3And this is the eternal life, that they should know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6Because [it is] the God who spoke that out of darkness light should shine who has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of God in [the] face of [Jesus] Christ.
• 1 John 3:22and whatsoever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and practise the things which are pleasing in his sight.
• 1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.
• Psalms 119:6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
• Luke 6:46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?
• John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
• John 15:10If ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1For the rest, then, brethren, we beg you and exhort you in [the] Lord Jesus, even as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and please God, even as ye also do walk, that ye would abound still more.
• Hebrews 5:9and having been perfected, became to all them that obey him, author of eternal salvation;
• Revelation 22:14Blessed [are] they that wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life, and that they should go in by the gates into the city.

Commentaries on 1 John 2:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3And 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And 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 John 17:3. The apostle had stated in the previous part of this Epistle some of the leading points revealed by the Christian religion…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. 33. 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" (1Jo 2:4, 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" (1Jo 2:1, 29); our…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 John 2:3

• Obedience
• Righteous
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Acknowledge
• Advocate
• Assurance
• Faith
• Lie
• Stumble
• Hereby
• John, the Epistles of
• John, the First Epistle General 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