1 John 2:10
Verse
Context
A New Commandment
9If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.10Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Sermons
Paris Reidhead
Phil Beach Jr.
Clement of Rome
Daniel Steele
John GillSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that loveth his brother - That is, his neighbor, his fellow creature, whether Jew or Gentile, so as to bear him continual good will, and to be ready to do him every kind office; abideth in the light - not only gives proof that he has received Christ Jesus the Lord, but that he walks in him, that he retains the grace of his justification, and grows therein. And there is none occasion of stumbling in him - Και σκανδαλον εν αυτῳ ουκ εστιν· And there is no stumbling block in him; he neither gives nor receives offense: love prevents him from giving any to his neighbor; and love prevents him from receiving any from his neighbor, because it leads him to put the best construction on every thing. Besides, as he walks in the light, he sees the stumbling blocks that are in the way, and avoids them; every part of his path being illuminated. Many fall into sin because they do not see the snares that are in the way; and they do not see the snares because they either have not received, or do not abide in, the light.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Abiding in love is abiding in the light; for the Gospel light not only illumines the understanding, but warms the heart into love. none occasion of stumbling--In contrast to, "He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." "In him who loves there is neither blindness nor occasion of stumbling [to himself]: in him who does not love, there is both blindness and occasion of stumbling. He who hates his brother, is both a stumbling-block to himself, and stumbles against himself and everything within and without; he who loves has an unimpeded path" [BENGEL]. John has in mind Jesus' words, Joh 11:9-10. ALFORD well says, "The light and the darkness are within ourselves; admitted into us by the eye, whose singleness fills the whole body with light."
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that loveth his brother,.... As such, and because he is his brother in Christ, and that cordially and sincerely, without hypocrisy and dissimulation, and by love serves him, both in things temporal and spiritual, and so observes the new, and yet old commandment, abideth in the light: it is a plain case, that such a man is in the light of grace, and continues in it; for though it is not his love to the brethren which is the cause of his light, of his being and continuing in it, for that is owing to the spirit of light and knowledge, but on the contrary, light is the cause of his love; yet it is an evidence of it, that by which it is known, as the cause is known by the effect; see Joh 3:14; and there is none occasion of stumbling in him, or "there is no scandal" or "offence in him"; he gives no offence to his brother, or at least, as much as in him lies, he takes care that he gives none; he avoids, as much as can be, putting a stumblingblock, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way, by the use of things indifferent, or by any other action; nor will he easily take offence at what is said or done unto him, for charity or love is not easily provoked, it suffers long, and bears all things; see Co1 13:4; nor does he so much and so frequently transgress the laws of God, and particularly those which regard his neighbour or his brother, and so easily fall into the snares of Satan, because he is in the light, and walks in the light, and sees his way, and what lies in his way, and, so shuns and avoids occasion of stumbling and falling. There is not in him that wrath, and malice, and envy, which lead on to the commission of other sins; for love works no ill, but fulfils the law, and will not suffer him to commit adultery, to kill, to steal, or bear false witness against his neighbour, friend, and brother; see Rom 13:9; and such an one enjoys great peace, tranquillity, and happiness; he has much comfort in himself, and pleasure in the saints, and delight in their company; he walks inoffensively, and in an harmless manner, without hurting himself, or any other, Psa 119:165.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:10 To cause others to stumble can also mean to ensnare or entrap them. The Greek word skandalon means a trap or a block in someone’s path. The Gnostics, who taught falsehood about Christ, were hindering people by ensnaring them in error and darkness. • living in the light: A godly life will help, not hinder, the faith of other Christians.
1 John 2:10
A New Commandment
9If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.10Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Evidences of the New Birth
By Paris Reidhead1.8K38:19New BirthGAL 4:61JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:101JN 3:241JN 5:41JN 5:10In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the evidences of eternal life as described in the first epistle of John. He emphasizes the importance of believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, in order to have eternal life. The preacher also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in confirming our status as children of God and the need to overcome the world through faith. Additionally, he warns against loving the world and living in sin while claiming to be a child of God.
Satan Cometh and Has Nothing in Me
By Phil Beach Jr.0MAT 5:48LUK 1:35JHN 14:30ROM 3:102CO 5:21EPH 4:11HEB 4:151JN 2:101JN 3:18Phil Beach Jr. preaches about the sinlessness and unselfishness of Jesus Christ, emphasizing how Satan found no ground in Him and how He lived a life of selfless devotion to the Father's will. The sermon highlights the importance of embracing Christ's life as our true life, rejecting our own righteousness, and allowing Christ to live in us as the sum total of the Christian life.
How Carefully Stumbling-Blocks Must Be Avoided
By Clement of Rome0PRO 4:23MAT 5:8ROM 14:131CO 8:91CO 10:321TH 5:221TI 5:21PE 2:111JN 2:10Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of being cautious and avoiding situations that may lead to temptation or false accusations, even if it means refraining from good deeds like praying or reading Scriptures in the presence of a lone believing woman. He urges believers to prioritize the well-being and spiritual growth of others over personal desires, especially in matters that could cause a fellow believer to stumble or be led astray. Clement stresses the need to love God and neighbor by being vigilant not to be a stumbling block to anyone, whether Jew, Gentile, or fellow Christian, and to always act in a way that promotes purity and righteousness.
7. Outline of the Epistle
By Daniel Steele01JN 1:51JN 2:101JN 3:141JN 4:71JN 5:41JN 5:131JN 5:21Daniel Steele delves into the complexities of analyzing the Epistle, acknowledging the challenges scholars face in deciphering the author's plan. While some view it as a disorganized collection of thoughts, modern scholars strive to uncover the subtle connections that divide the Epistle into coherent sections. Dr. A. Plummer's structured plan in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges provides a helpful guide, emphasizing themes of God's light and love, the believer's conduct, and the importance of confession, obedience, and fellowship. The Epistle underscores the significance of walking in the light, avoiding worldly influences, and embracing love as a mark of true discipleship, culminating in a call to faith, intercessory love, and a warning against idolatry.
1 John 2:10
By John Gill0Walking in the LightLovePSA 119:165JHN 3:14ROM 13:91CO 13:41JN 2:10John Gill emphasizes the significance of loving one's brother in Christ as a reflection of being in the light of grace. He explains that true love is sincere and serves both temporal and spiritual needs, demonstrating that love is an evidence of one's relationship with God. A person who loves their brother avoids causing offense and strives to live in a way that does not lead others to stumble. This love, rooted in the light, leads to a life free from malice and sin, resulting in peace and joy in the community of believers.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that loveth his brother - That is, his neighbor, his fellow creature, whether Jew or Gentile, so as to bear him continual good will, and to be ready to do him every kind office; abideth in the light - not only gives proof that he has received Christ Jesus the Lord, but that he walks in him, that he retains the grace of his justification, and grows therein. And there is none occasion of stumbling in him - Και σκανδαλον εν αυτῳ ουκ εστιν· And there is no stumbling block in him; he neither gives nor receives offense: love prevents him from giving any to his neighbor; and love prevents him from receiving any from his neighbor, because it leads him to put the best construction on every thing. Besides, as he walks in the light, he sees the stumbling blocks that are in the way, and avoids them; every part of his path being illuminated. Many fall into sin because they do not see the snares that are in the way; and they do not see the snares because they either have not received, or do not abide in, the light.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Abiding in love is abiding in the light; for the Gospel light not only illumines the understanding, but warms the heart into love. none occasion of stumbling--In contrast to, "He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." "In him who loves there is neither blindness nor occasion of stumbling [to himself]: in him who does not love, there is both blindness and occasion of stumbling. He who hates his brother, is both a stumbling-block to himself, and stumbles against himself and everything within and without; he who loves has an unimpeded path" [BENGEL]. John has in mind Jesus' words, Joh 11:9-10. ALFORD well says, "The light and the darkness are within ourselves; admitted into us by the eye, whose singleness fills the whole body with light."
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that loveth his brother,.... As such, and because he is his brother in Christ, and that cordially and sincerely, without hypocrisy and dissimulation, and by love serves him, both in things temporal and spiritual, and so observes the new, and yet old commandment, abideth in the light: it is a plain case, that such a man is in the light of grace, and continues in it; for though it is not his love to the brethren which is the cause of his light, of his being and continuing in it, for that is owing to the spirit of light and knowledge, but on the contrary, light is the cause of his love; yet it is an evidence of it, that by which it is known, as the cause is known by the effect; see Joh 3:14; and there is none occasion of stumbling in him, or "there is no scandal" or "offence in him"; he gives no offence to his brother, or at least, as much as in him lies, he takes care that he gives none; he avoids, as much as can be, putting a stumblingblock, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way, by the use of things indifferent, or by any other action; nor will he easily take offence at what is said or done unto him, for charity or love is not easily provoked, it suffers long, and bears all things; see Co1 13:4; nor does he so much and so frequently transgress the laws of God, and particularly those which regard his neighbour or his brother, and so easily fall into the snares of Satan, because he is in the light, and walks in the light, and sees his way, and what lies in his way, and, so shuns and avoids occasion of stumbling and falling. There is not in him that wrath, and malice, and envy, which lead on to the commission of other sins; for love works no ill, but fulfils the law, and will not suffer him to commit adultery, to kill, to steal, or bear false witness against his neighbour, friend, and brother; see Rom 13:9; and such an one enjoys great peace, tranquillity, and happiness; he has much comfort in himself, and pleasure in the saints, and delight in their company; he walks inoffensively, and in an harmless manner, without hurting himself, or any other, Psa 119:165.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:10 To cause others to stumble can also mean to ensnare or entrap them. The Greek word skandalon means a trap or a block in someone’s path. The Gnostics, who taught falsehood about Christ, were hindering people by ensnaring them in error and darkness. • living in the light: A godly life will help, not hinder, the faith of other Christians.