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 dear children, I’m writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God’s full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father. 2He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world. We are sure that we know Christ if we obey his commandments. 4The person who says, “I know him,” but doesn’t obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn’t in that person. 5But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God’s love is perfected. That’s how we know we are in Christ.

1 John 2:3 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• herebyοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• weγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• doἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• we keepτηρέωtēreō · to keep: observeG5083
• commandmentsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• commandmentsἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785

Cross-references for 1 John 2:3

• 1 John 2:4The person who says, “I know him,” but doesn’t obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn’t in that person.
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love other believers. The person who doesn’t grow in love remains in death.
• 1 John 4:13We know that we live in him and he lives in us because he has given us his Spirit.
• 1 John 5:19We know that we are from God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
• Isaiah 53:11He will see and be satisfied because of his suffering. My righteous servant will acquit many people because of what he has learned ⌞through suffering⌟. He will carry their sins as a burden.
• John 17:3This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face.
• 1 John 3:22and receive from him anything we ask. We receive it because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
• 1 John 5:3To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn’t difficult
• Psalms 119:6Then I will never feel ashamed when I study all your commandments.
• Luke 6:46“Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you?
• John 14:15“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.
• John 15:10If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commandments, and in that way I live in his love.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you.
• Hebrews 5:9After he had finished his work, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him.
• Revelation 22:14“Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through 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