1 John 5:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

NIV: This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

NASB: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and follow His commandments.

CSB: This is how we know that we love God's children: when we love God and obey his commands.

NLT: We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.

KJV: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

NKJV: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.

Verse 1 teaches that believers must love other believers. Verse 2 gives additional detail on how to know we are loving others as we should. In particular, we can know we are acting in love when we obey the commands of God. John's readers may have wondered if they were falling short of some specific standard for showing love. To remove this concern, John explained the way to love other believers is to love God, which means obedience to His commandments. One of those commandments is to love God and love others (1 John 4:21).

At first, this seems like a circular, repetitive argument. However, John's intent is to make a point through restatement. The major sections of his letter frequently repeat the themes of loving God and one another. Yet John also includes unique material in each section. These details give means to show whether a person is a true believer, as well as ways to show love for God and others (1 John 3:16–18).

First John 5:1–5 develops two major ideas. Initially, John repeats the idea that love, as a commandment from God, is a necessary action by believers. Showing love to others is how we demonstrate that we are ''born of God.'' Second, John explains that those who have faith in Christ can overcome worldly sins and temptations. Victory, for the Christian, is through faith in Christ, who has already defeated these powers of darkness.

Chapter 5 concludes the book of 1 John, once again emphasizing the supremacy of love in the Christian experience. Those who put their faith in Christ can know, for sure, that they have eternal life. This assurance comes by trusting what we know of the life of Jesus Christ, as well as the evidence of the Holy Spirit within us. Following God's commands, particularly love, results in confidence of our salvation, as well as strength against the temptations of the world.

First John 5 completes the letter by summarizing how Christians can know that they have eternal life. Prior chapters have explained the various signs of ''abiding'' with God, but the key measurement is love. In this final passage, love is once again used as the supreme measurement. In light of the rest of the letter, love for God and love for others is shown to be both a source of confidence and a sign of faith.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.

Accessed 5/3/2024 9:03:41 AM