1 John 2:9
Verse
Context
A New Commandment
8Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.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.
Sermons
Paris Reidhead
Zac PoonenParis Reidhead
John Gill
Samuel DaviesJohn Gill
H.J. VineSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that saith he is in the light - He that professes to be a convert to Christianity, even in the lowest degree; and hateth his brother - not only does not love him, but wills and does him evil, as the Jews did the Gentiles; is in darkness - has received no saving knowledge of the truth; and, whatever he may pretend, is in heathen ignorance, or even worse than heathen ignorance, to the present time, notwithstanding the clear shining of the light of the Gospel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
There is no mean between light and darkness, love and hatred, life and death, God and the world: wherever spiritual life is, however weak, there darkness and death no longer reign, and love supplants hatred; and Luk 9:50 holds good: wherever life is not, there death, darkness, the flesh, the world, and hatred, however glossed over and hidden from man's observation, prevail; and Luk 11:23 holds good. "Where love is not, there hatred is; for the heart cannot remain a void" [BENGEL]. in the light--as his proper element. his brother--his neighbor, and especially those of the Christian brotherhood. The very title "brother" is a reason why love should be exercised. even until now--notwithstanding that "the true light already has begun to shine" (Jo1 2:8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that saith he is in the light,.... Is in Christ the light, or has the true knowledge of the light of the Gospel, or is illuminated by the Spirit of God; for persons may profess to be enlightened ones, and not be so: wherefore the apostle does not say, he that is in the light, but he that says he is, and hateth his brother; who is so either by creation, as all men are brethren, having one Father, that has made them, and brought them up; or by regeneration, being born of God the Father, and in the same family and household of faith; and so regards such who are in a spiritual relation, whom to hate internally, or not to love, is inconsistent with being in the light, or having faith, which is always naturally and necessarily accompanied with the heat of love; for as light and heat, so faith and love go together: wherefore, let a man's profession of light be what it will, if love to his brother is wanting, he is in darkness even until now; he is in a state of nature and unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness and ignorance; he is under the power of darkness, and in the kingdom of Satan; who is the ruler of the darkness of this world; he ever was so from his birth; he never was called nor delivered out of it, but is still in it to this moment, and so remains. This seems to be very much levelled against the Jews, who make hatred of the brother in some cases lawful: for they say (d), "if one man observes sin in another, and reproves him for it, and he does not receive his reproof, , "it is lawful to hate him";'' See Gill on Mat 5:43. (d) Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora, pr. neg. 5.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:9-11 Another indication of truly knowing Christ is one’s treatment of other Christians. John is again pointing to those who claim to be spiritually enlightened but separate themselves from other Christians with an attitude of superiority. John defines such an attitude as hatred. 2:9 a fellow believer: Literally his brother. The Greek word adelphos (also in 2:11) is a generic term often used to refer to both male and female members of the same family.
1 John 2:9
A New Commandment
8Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Evidence of Eternal Life - Part 3) Loving Ones Brother
By Paris Reidhead2.7K49:591JN 2:9
This sermon delves into the theme of 'Evidences of Eternal Life' based on passages from 1 John. It emphasizes the importance of genuine love for others as a sign of true faith, contrasting light and darkness, life and death. The speaker highlights the practical demonstration of love through actions, not just words, as a hallmark of genuine Christianity, urging listeners to examine their hearts and ensure their love for others reflects the love of God.
Through the Bible - 1 John
By Zac Poonen2.4K55:56Through The BibleGEN 1:11JN 1:81JN 2:61JN 2:91JN 2:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of testing the spirits and discerning whether a gift is from the Holy Spirit. The three main themes of the book of 1 John are obedience to God's commandments, love for one another, and confessing that Jesus came in the flesh. The speaker encourages believers to prioritize these three things in their church to build it according to God's will. He also highlights the tragedy of Christians missing the main thing and getting occupied with insignificant matters. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that having the life of God, characterized by purity, humility, love, and goodness, is essential, and that fellowship is more important than mere organization and activity.
Not Loving the World
By Paris Reidhead1.2K46:20WorldlinessMAT 24:38LUK 21:34JAS 4:41JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:91JN 2:151JN 3:141JN 4:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches everyone the same things, regardless of their cultural background or language. The speaker shares a personal experience of arriving in Sudan and being shown around by a senior missionary. The sermon then delves into the importance of the word of God in discerning between the soul and spirit. The speaker highlights the commandment to not love the world and explains that doing the will of God is evidence of love. The sermon concludes by suggesting that one's attitude towards the world can be revealed through their actions, and encourages listeners to let others discover their own attitudes rather than judging them.
1 John 2:11
By John Gill0Hatred and DarknessSpiritual Blindness1JN 2:9John Gill emphasizes the spiritual peril of hatred towards others, explaining that those who harbor such feelings are enveloped in darkness and are unaware of their spiritual blindness. He illustrates how this darkness leads to a lack of discernment between good and evil, causing individuals to stumble through life without recognizing the dangers that lie ahead. Gill warns that this state of ignorance is a result of sin and the influence of Satan, which blinds the heart and mind, preventing one from understanding the path to peace and salvation through Christ.
The Rule of Equity
By Samuel Davies0MAT 7:121CO 6:9GAL 5:19COL 3:231JN 2:9Samuel Davies preaches about the importance of following the Rule of Equity, emphasizing the need for Christians to exhibit complete holiness in their conduct towards God and fellow men. He highlights that a true Christian is characterized by a symmetrical and consistent devotion to God and moral behavior towards others. Davies explains the divine rule of social duty as summarized in Matthew 7:12, encouraging believers to treat others as they would like to be treated, reflecting the essence of the Law and the Prophets. He delves into the reasons, excellency, and practical applications of this rule, stressing its necessity for genuine Christian living, the promotion of religion, the improvement of human society, and ultimately, for securing a place in the kingdom of heaven.
1 John 2:9
By John Gill0LoveSpiritual IlluminationMAT 5:44JHN 8:12JHN 13:34ROM 13:10GAL 5:22EPH 5:81PE 2:91JN 2:91JN 3:141JN 4:20John Gill emphasizes that claiming to be in the light of Christ while harboring hatred towards a brother is contradictory and reveals a state of darkness. He explains that true faith is inherently linked to love, and without love, one remains in spiritual ignorance and under the influence of darkness. Gill also addresses the misconception among some Jews that allows for hatred under certain circumstances, reinforcing that love must prevail among believers regardless of the situation. Ultimately, he asserts that genuine illumination by the Spirit of God must manifest in love for others.
Walking Heavenward
By H.J. Vine0ISA 40:31EPH 5:15COL 2:6HEB 11:51JN 2:61JN 2:9H.J. Vine preaches about the exemplary walk of Enoch, who pleased God and was taken by Him without experiencing death, highlighting the importance of walking in wisdom's ways well-pleasing to God. The sermon draws parallels between Enoch's walk with God and the heavenly walk of believers today, contrasting those who walk in darkness and those who walk in the light of Christ's atoning blood. The message emphasizes the need for consistency in our walk with God, relying on His strength to overcome difficulties and trials, and the joy of walking in truth and love as children of God.
The False Light
By W.R. Inge0JHN 8:122CO 11:14GAL 5:13PHP 2:51JN 2:9W.R. Inge delves into the concept of the False Light, contrasting it with the true light which is of God and seeks goodness for its own sake. The false light deceives and seeks self-interest, aspiring to be like God without understanding the humility and selflessness required. It rejects the life of Christ and promotes a false sense of liberty, leading to disregard for virtues and a focus on self-gratification. Inge warns against the dangers of the false light, equating it to Lucifer and Antichrist, emphasizing the importance of living a just life modeled after Christ.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that saith he is in the light - He that professes to be a convert to Christianity, even in the lowest degree; and hateth his brother - not only does not love him, but wills and does him evil, as the Jews did the Gentiles; is in darkness - has received no saving knowledge of the truth; and, whatever he may pretend, is in heathen ignorance, or even worse than heathen ignorance, to the present time, notwithstanding the clear shining of the light of the Gospel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
There is no mean between light and darkness, love and hatred, life and death, God and the world: wherever spiritual life is, however weak, there darkness and death no longer reign, and love supplants hatred; and Luk 9:50 holds good: wherever life is not, there death, darkness, the flesh, the world, and hatred, however glossed over and hidden from man's observation, prevail; and Luk 11:23 holds good. "Where love is not, there hatred is; for the heart cannot remain a void" [BENGEL]. in the light--as his proper element. his brother--his neighbor, and especially those of the Christian brotherhood. The very title "brother" is a reason why love should be exercised. even until now--notwithstanding that "the true light already has begun to shine" (Jo1 2:8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that saith he is in the light,.... Is in Christ the light, or has the true knowledge of the light of the Gospel, or is illuminated by the Spirit of God; for persons may profess to be enlightened ones, and not be so: wherefore the apostle does not say, he that is in the light, but he that says he is, and hateth his brother; who is so either by creation, as all men are brethren, having one Father, that has made them, and brought them up; or by regeneration, being born of God the Father, and in the same family and household of faith; and so regards such who are in a spiritual relation, whom to hate internally, or not to love, is inconsistent with being in the light, or having faith, which is always naturally and necessarily accompanied with the heat of love; for as light and heat, so faith and love go together: wherefore, let a man's profession of light be what it will, if love to his brother is wanting, he is in darkness even until now; he is in a state of nature and unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness and ignorance; he is under the power of darkness, and in the kingdom of Satan; who is the ruler of the darkness of this world; he ever was so from his birth; he never was called nor delivered out of it, but is still in it to this moment, and so remains. This seems to be very much levelled against the Jews, who make hatred of the brother in some cases lawful: for they say (d), "if one man observes sin in another, and reproves him for it, and he does not receive his reproof, , "it is lawful to hate him";'' See Gill on Mat 5:43. (d) Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora, pr. neg. 5.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:9-11 Another indication of truly knowing Christ is one’s treatment of other Christians. John is again pointing to those who claim to be spiritually enlightened but separate themselves from other Christians with an attitude of superiority. John defines such an attitude as hatred. 2:9 a fellow believer: Literally his brother. The Greek word adelphos (also in 2:11) is a generic term often used to refer to both male and female members of the same family.