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

1(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, 2and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments. 4The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. 5But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this 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

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 one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person.
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death.
• 1 John 4:13By this we know that we reside in God and he in us: in that he has given us of his Spirit.
• 1 John 5:19We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
• Isaiah 53:11Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins.
• John 17:3Now this is eternal life – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.
• 1 John 3:22and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing to him.
• 1 John 5:3For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down,
• Psalms 119:6Then I would not be ashamed, if I were focused on all your commands.
• Luke 6:46“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and 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 remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.
• Hebrews 5:9And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
• Revelation 22:14Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates.

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