1 John 2 · Verse 3

1 John 2:3

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:3, King James Version

1 John 2:3 in other translations

BSBBy this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.
WEBThis is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
ASVAnd hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
YLTand in this we know that we have known him, if his commands we may keep;
DARBYAnd hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
BBEAnd by this we may be certain that we have knowledge of him, if we keep his laws.
WebsterAnd by this we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

What does 1 John 2:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. 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 "Advocate and Intercessor." keep--John's favorite word, instead of "do," literally, "watch," "guard," and "keep safe" as a precious thing; observing so as to keep. So Christ Himself. Not faultless conformity, but hearty acceptance of, and willing subjection to, God's whole revealed will, is meant. commandments--injunctions of faith, love, and obedience. John never uses "the law" to express the rule of Christian obedience: he uses it as the Mosaic law.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. And 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, Jn 17:3. The apostle had stated in the previous part of this epistle some of the leading points revealed by the Christian religion, and he here enters on the consideration of the nature of the evidence required to show that we are personally interested in it, or that we are true Christians. A large part of the epistle is occupied with this subject. The first, the grand evidence--that without which all others would be vain--he says is, that we keep his commandments.

If we keep his commandments. Jn 14:15. Comp. Jn 14:23,24, 15:10,14.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 And 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 properly acquainted with God, who is still under the power of his sins.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 John 2:3-11
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 Christ's commands, has holiness and excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force from the beginning of the world; but it might be called a new command as given to Christians. It was new in them, as their situation was new in respect of its motives, rules, and obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind, the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us what we are, and whither we are going.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 John 2:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐνenbyG1722
τούτῳtoutōthisG3778
γινώσκομενginōskomenwe knowG1097
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐγνώκαμενegnōkamenwe have come to knowG1097
αὐτόν,autonHim,G846
ἐὰνeanifG1437
τὰςtastheG3588
ἐντολὰςentolascommandmentsG1785
αὐτοῦautouof HimG846
τηρῶμεν.¶tērōmenwe shall keep.G5083

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 John 2:3

  • John 14:15

    If ye love me, keep my commandments.

  • John 15:10

    If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

  • 1 John 5:3

    For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

  • Luke 6:46

    And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

  • 1 John 4:13

    Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • Hebrews 5:9

    And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

  • 1 John 3:22-24

    And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

  • Psalms 119:32

    I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

  • 1 John 2:4-6

    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

  • John 14:21-24

    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

  • 1 John 3:19

    And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
hereby.
4-6; 3:14,19; 4:13; 5:19
we know.
Isa 53:11; *Heb:
Joh 17:3; 2Co 4:6
if we.
3:22,23; 5:3; Ps 119:6,32; Lu 6:46; Joh 14:15,21-24; 15:10,14
1Th 4:1,2; Heb 5:9; Re 22:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 John 2:2

    And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

  • 1 John 2:3

    And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

  • 1 John 2:4

    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Read all of 1 John 2

1 John 2:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y en esto sabemos que nosotros le hemos conocido, si guardamos sus mandamientos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et par ceci nous savons que nous le connaissons, savoir si nous gardons ses commandements.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und hieran wissen wir, daß wir ihn kennen, wenn wir seine Gebote halten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et in hoc scimus quoniam cognovimus eum, si mandata ejus observemus.