King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Anyone who claims to be in this light while hating his brother is still in the dark.
Berean Standard Bible:
If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.
American Standard Version:
He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that saith{G3004} he is{G1511} in{G1722} the light{G5457}, and{G2532} hateth{G3404} his{G846} brother{G80}, is{G2076} in{G1722} darkness{G4653} even until{G2193} now{G737}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 John 4:20
- If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1 John 2:11
- But 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.
1 John 3:13
- Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1 John 3:17
- But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Psalms 82:5
- They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
1 Corinthians 13:1
- ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:3
- And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 John 2:9
1 John 2:9 addresses the theme of Christian love and the hypocrisy that can arise within the community of believers. The verse is part of the First Epistle of John, traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, who is thought to have written it towards the end of the first century. The epistle is directed to early Christian communities facing internal conflicts and the challenges of various heretical teachings, including Gnosticism, which emphasized secret knowledge and often downplayed the importance of the physical world and the reality of Christ's human nature.
The specific text of 1 John 2:9 reads, "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now." This verse confronts the contradiction of a person who claims to have spiritual enlightenment or to be walking in God's truth ("in the light") but whose life is characterized by hatred towards others, particularly fellow believers ("his brother"). The verse emphasizes that true spiritual understanding and relationship with God are demonstrated through loving actions, not merely by professing faith or knowledge.
In the historical context, the early Christians were working out what it meant to live out the commandments of Jesus, especially the commandment to love one another as He had loved them (John 13:34-35). The author of 1 John insists that love is not only a feeling but a behavior that reflects the character of God, who is love (1 John 4:8). Thus, 1 John 2:9 serves as a stern warning that those who do not practice love reveal that they are not truly connected to the God of light, but rather remain in darkness—a metaphor for spiritual ignorance or separation from God. The verse calls for authenticity in faith, where one's actions must align with one's profession of belief in order to truly abide in the light of Christ's teaching and example.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: G1511
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἶναι
Transliteration: eînai
Pronunciation: i'-nahee
Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G5457
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φῶς
Transliteration: phōs
Pronunciation: foce
Description: from an obsolete (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare φαίνω, φημί); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative):--fire, light. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3404
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μισέω
Transliteration: miséō
Pronunciation: mis-eh'-o
Description: from a primary (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G4653
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκοτία
Transliteration: skotía
Pronunciation: skot-ee'-ah
Description: from σκότος; dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively):--dark(-ness). - Strong's Number: G2193
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἕως
Transliteration: héōs
Pronunciation: heh'-oce
Description: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s). - Strong's Number: G737
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄρτι
Transliteration: árti
Pronunciation: ar'-tee
Description: adverb from a derivative of αἴρω (compare ἄρτος) through the idea of suspension; just now:--this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.