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.

But {G1161} whoso {G3739} keepeth {G302}{G5083} his {G846} word {G3056}, in {G1722} him {G5129} verily {G230} is {G5048} the love {G26} of God {G2316} perfected {G5048}: hereby {G1722}{G5129} know we {G1097} that {G3754} we are {G2070} in {G1722} him {G846}.

But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with him.

But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:

but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:

1 John 2:5 presents a profound truth about the relationship between obedience, divine love, and Christian assurance. This verse, part of John's first epistle, emphasizes that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but is demonstrated through a life lived in accordance with God's will.

Context

This verse follows closely on the heels of John's declaration about walking in the light and having fellowship with God and one another (1 John 1:7). Chapter 2 begins by addressing sin and the advocacy of Christ, then shifts to distinguishing true believers from those who merely claim to know God. John states that if one claims to know Him but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar (1 John 2:4). Verse 5 elaborates on the positive side of this truth, revealing what happens when a believer *does* keep God's word.

Key Themes

  • Obedience as a Mark of True Faith: The phrase "whoso keepeth his word" highlights that genuine faith is active. It's not enough to simply hear God's word; it must be obeyed. This obedience is presented as the tangible evidence of one's relationship with God, distinguishing true discipleship from mere profession.
  • The Perfection of God's Love: When a believer obeys God's word, "in him verily is the love of God perfected." This does not mean God's love for us becomes more complete (it is already perfect), but rather that God's love, residing within the believer, reaches its full expression and maturity through obedience. It's about our love for God and His love being fully manifested through our lives. This speaks to a deepening spiritual maturity where God's character is increasingly reflected in the believer.
  • Assurance of Being "In Him": The verse concludes with a crucial statement of assurance: "hereby know we that we are in him." Obedience provides a confident spiritual indicator that one is truly united with Christ, living in a vital fellowship with Him. It's a practical test of one's spiritual standing, reinforcing the idea that deeds confirm faith.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "perfected" is teleioō (τελειόω), which means to bring to an end, to complete, to make perfect, or to bring to maturity. In this context, it suggests that God's love within the believer is brought to its intended goal or full realization through obedience. It's about the love growing to full expression, not about an initial deficiency.

Related Scriptures

This verse strongly echoes Jesus' own words about obedience and love, such as in John 14:15, where He says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John also revisits the concept of love being perfected in 1 John 4:12, linking it with loving one another.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 John 2:5 serves as a powerful reminder that faith is active and transformative. It encourages introspection: do our lives reflect our claims of knowing God? Obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's love and the means by which we experience the fullness of His love working through us. This verse offers a tangible way to assess our spiritual health and provides assurance of our union with Christ, motivating us to live lives that honor Him and demonstrate His perfecting love to the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 14:23

    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.

  • John 14:21

    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.

  • Luke 11:28

    But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  • 1 John 4:12

    No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

  • 1 John 4:13

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

  • 1 John 3:24

    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 119:2

    Blessed [are] they that keep his testimonies, [and that] seek him with the whole heart.

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