Read & explore together
A New Commandment
John explains that his readers have already heard the commandment, yet he can also call it new because the true light is already shining. He tests claims about living in the light by one clear measure: love for a brother.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, John writes directly to his readers and repeats key ideas about commandment, light, darkness, love and knowledge. He addresses little children, fathers and young men, describing what is already true for them in relation to forgiveness, knowing the Father, and overcoming the evil one.
1 John 2:7–14Main takeaway
This passage teaches that remaining in the light is shown by loving a brother, while John also strengthens his readers by reminding them of forgiveness, knowledge and victory already named in the letter.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An old commandment and a new commandmentJohn first says he is not writing a new commandment, but an old one his readers had heard from the beginning.
Explanation
John first says he is not writing a new commandment, but an old one his readers had heard from the beginning. Then he says he is writing a new commandment, true in him and in you. He explains this with the picture that darkness is passing away and the true light already shines.
02Love shows who is in the lightJohn gives a direct test. A person may say he is in the light, yet if he hates his brother, he is still in darkness.
Explanation
John gives a direct test. A person may say he is in the light, yet if he hates his brother, he is still in darkness. By contrast, the one who loves his brother remains in the light. In these verses, love and hate reveal whether someone is walking in light or darkness.
03Hatred leads into darknessJohn adds that the one who hates his brother walks in darkness and does not know where he is going.
Explanation
John adds that the one who hates his brother walks in darkness and does not know where he is going. The reason given is that darkness has blinded his eyes. This picture shows that darkness affects understanding and direction, not only outward behaviour.
04John reassures his readersJohn then addresses little children, fathers and young men. Little children are told that their sins are forgiven for his name’s sake and that they know the Father.
Explanation
John then addresses little children, fathers and young men. Little children are told that their sins are forgiven for his name’s sake and that they know the Father. Fathers know him who is from the beginning. Young men have overcome the evil one, are strong, and have the word of God remaining in them.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How can the commandment be described as both old and new in this passage?
Look closely at verses 7 and 8 and notice that John links the old commandment to what was heard from the beginning, and the new commandment to the true light already shining.
02What does John say proves that a person is still in darkness, even if he claims to be in the light?
Compare the claim in verse 9 with the contrast in verse 10, and answer using John’s own words about hating or loving a brother.
03What encouraging truths does John speak to little children, fathers and young men?
List the statements John gives each group, including forgiveness, knowing the Father, knowing him who is from the beginning, strength, the word of God remaining, and overcoming the evil one.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 John 2:7–14
7Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines.
9He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now.
10He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.
11But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.
14I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.