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.

Brethren {G80}, I write {G1125} no {G3756} new {G2537} commandment {G1785} unto you {G5213}, but {G235} an old {G3820} commandment {G1785} which {G3739} ye had {G2192} from {G575} the beginning {G746}. The old {G3820} commandment {G1785} is {G2076} the word {G3056} which {G3739} ye have heard {G191} from {G575} the beginning {G746}.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command. On the contrary, it is an old command, which you have had from the beginning; the old command is the message which you have heard before.

Beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old one, which you have had from the beginning. This commandment is the message you have heard.

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

First John 2:7 serves as a foundational statement in the Apostle John's first epistle, reassuring his readers that the core truths he shares are not novelties but established principles they have known since their earliest exposure to the Christian faith.

Context

Writing to a community of believers, likely facing various challenges including emerging false teachings, John aims to affirm the authenticity and continuity of the gospel message. He is not introducing radical new doctrines but reiterating fundamental truths. The "beginning" here refers to the time when they first heard the gospel and believed, or perhaps even to the beginning of Christ's ministry and the apostles' preaching. This verse sets the stage for John's discussion of the "new" commandment in the following verse, which, paradoxically, is also the "old" one.

Key Themes

  • Continuity of Divine Truth: John emphasizes that God's commands are consistent. The essence of Christian discipleship remains unchanged, rooted in the initial teachings received. This reassures believers that their faith is built on a stable foundation, not shifting sands.
  • The "Old" Commandment: While not explicitly named in this verse, the "old commandment" that they "had from the beginning" is understood in the broader context of John's writings to be the commandment to love. This concept is further elaborated by John, particularly in 1 John 2:8, where he links it to light and truth. Jesus Himself gave this commandment, as seen in John 15:12.
  • Emphasis on the "Beginning": John frequently uses the phrase "from the beginning" (1 John 1:1, John 1:1) to underscore the eternal nature of Christ and the apostolic testimony. Here, it highlights the foundational nature of the teachings they received, contrasting them with any novel, erroneous doctrines.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "commandment" is entolē (ἐντολὴ), which refers to an injunction, precept, or divine command. John's use of "old" (palaios - παλαιὸς) and "new" (kainos - καινός) in verses 7 and 8 is significant. Palaios implies something that has existed for a long time, while kainos refers to something fresh, renewed, or of a new kind, not necessarily chronologically new. Thus, the commandment is "old" because it was given from the very start of their Christian experience and has roots in God's eternal character, yet it becomes "new" in its fresh application and understanding through Christ's example and the indwelling Spirit (as clarified in John 13:34).

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 John 2:7 reminds us that while cultural expressions of faith may evolve, the core tenets of Christianity—such as love for God and neighbor, obedience to Christ, and walking in truth—remain constant. It encourages us to ground our faith not in fleeting trends or novel interpretations, but in the enduring "word which ye have heard from the beginning." This verse serves as a call to discern between authentic, foundational Christian teaching and doctrines that deviate from the established truth, providing stability and assurance in an ever-changing 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.

  • Mark 12:29

    And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

  • Mark 12:34

    And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

  • Leviticus 19:18

    Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.

  • 1 John 3:11

    ¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

  • 2 John 1:5

    ¶ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

  • 2 John 1:6

    And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

  • Galatians 5:13

    ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

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