1 John 2 · Verse 6

1 John 2:6

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 2:6, King James Version

1 John 2:6 in other translations

BSBWhoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
WEBhe who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
ASVhe that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
YLTHe who is saying in him he doth remain, ought according as he walked also himself so to walk.
DARBYHe that says he abides in him ought, even as he walked, himself also so to walk.
BBEHe who says that he is living in him, will do as he did.
WebsterHe that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

What does 1 John 2:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. abideth--implying a condition lasting, without intermission, and without end. He that saith ... ought--so that his deeds may be consistent with his words. even as he--Believers readily supply the name, their hearts being full of Him (compare Joh 20:15). "Even as He walked" when on earth, especially in respect to love. John delights in referring to Christ as the model man, with the words, "Even as He," &c. "It is not Christ's walking on the sea, but His ordinary walk, that we are called on to imitate" [Luther].

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. He that saith, he abideth in him. Gr., remains in him; that is, abides or remains in the belief of his doctrines, and in the comfort and practice of religion. The expression is one of those which refer to the intimate union between Christ and his people. A great variety of phrase is employed to denote that. For the meaning of this word in John, Jn 3:6.

Ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Ought to live and act as he did. If he is one with him, or professes to be united to him, he ought to imitate him in all things. Comp. Jn 13:15. 1Jn 1:6.

(a) "abideth" Jn 15:4,5 (b) "walk" Jn 13:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Abideth in him - He who not only professes to have known Christ, but also that he has communion with him, and abides in his favor, should prove the truth of his profession by walking as Christ walked; living a life of devotion and obedience to God, and of benevolence and beneficence to his neighbor. Thus Christ walked; and he has left us an example that we should follow his steps. To be in Christ, 1Jn 2:5, is to be converted to the Christian faith, and to have received the remission of sins. To abide in Christ, 1Jn 2:6, is to continue in that state of salvation, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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…

Read the full comment on 1 John 2:3-11 →

1 John 2:6 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.

ὁhoThe [one]G3588
λέγωνlegōnclaimingG3004
ἐνeninG1722
αὐτῷautōHimG846
μένεινmeneinto abideG3306
ὀφείλει,opheileioughtG3784
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
ἐκεῖνοςekeinosthat [one]G1565
περιεπάτησεν,periepatēsenwalkedG4043
καὶkaialsoG2532
αὐτὸςautosHe himselfG846
οὕτωςhoutōsin the same wayG3779
περιπατεῖν.¶peripateinto walk.G4043

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

Cross references for 1 John 2:6

  • 1 Peter 2:21

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

  • John 13:15

    For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

    Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

  • 1 John 3:6

    Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

  • John 15:4-6

    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • Matthew 11:29

    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

  • 1 John 1:6-7

    If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • 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.

  • 1 John 2:28

    And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

  • Psalms 85:13

    Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that saith.
4; 1:6
he.
28; 3:6; Joh 15:4-6
to walk.
1:7; Ps 85:13; Mt 11:29; Joh 13:15; 1Co 11:1; Eph 5:2; 1Pe 2:21

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

Context

  • 1 John 2:5

    But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

  • 1 John 2:6

    He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

  • 1 John 2:7

    Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Read all of 1 John 2

1 John 2:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que dice que está en él, debe andar como él anduvo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui dit demeurer en lui, doit lui-même aussi marcher comme lui a marché.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer da sagt, daß er in ihm bleibe, ist schuldig, selbst auch so zu wandeln, wie er gewandelt hat.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui dicit se in ipso manere, debet, sicut ille ambulavit, et ipse ambulare.