1 John 2:8

KJV

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Again {G3825}, a new {G2537} commandment {G1785} I write {G1125} unto you {G5213}, which thing {G3739} is {G2076} true {G227} in {G1722} him {G846} and {G2532} in {G1722} you {G5213}: because {G3754} the darkness {G4653} is past {G3855}, and {G2532} the true {G228} light {G5457} now {G2235} shineth {G5316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yet I am writing you a new command, and its reality is seen both in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

Berean Standard Bible

Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.

American Standard Version

Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 2:8 presents a profound declaration that while the commandment of love is ancient, it is simultaneously "new" in its fulfillment and empowering reality through Jesus Christ. This paradox is resolved by understanding that the truth of this commandment is perfectly embodied in Christ and is actively realized in believers, signifying a transformative shift from spiritual darkness to the illuminating presence of God's true light.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [1 John 2:7](/1_john/2-7 "1 John 2:7 - The Old Commandment") where John refers to an "old commandment" that believers have had "from the beginning." The "again, a new commandment I write unto you" in [1 John 2:8](/1_john/2-8 "1 John 2:8 - The New Commandment") sets up a deliberate contrast and clarification. John is not introducing a completely different command, but rather re-presenting the same foundational command of love, now infused with new meaning and power through Christ. This serves to deepen the understanding of Christian ethics, moving beyond mere adherence to rules to a life empowered by divine love, which is a central theme throughout [1 John](/1_john/1 "The First Epistle of John"). The subsequent verses, [1 John 2:9-11](/1_john/2-9-11 "1 John 2:9-11 - Loving and Hating"), further elaborate on the practical implications of walking in this light and living out this love, contrasting it sharply with remaining in darkness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Apostle John wrote this epistle to a community of believers facing various challenges, including the rise of Gnostic-like heresies that denied the true humanity of Christ and often led to moral laxity or extreme asceticism. These false teachings threatened to undermine the core tenets of Christian faith and practice. In this environment, John emphasizes foundational truths: the reality of Christ's incarnation, the necessity of walking in fellowship with God, and the indispensable role of love for one another as evidence of true faith. The concept of "light" and "darkness" was a common metaphor in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, often representing truth versus error, good versus evil, or divine presence versus spiritual absence. John employs this imagery to starkly differentiate the Christian life, characterized by divine illumination and love, from the world's spiritual ignorance and moral decay.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in 1 John. Firstly, it underscores the **nature of Christian love** as both ancient in its divine origin (rooted in the Old Testament command to love one's neighbor, as seen in [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor")) and radically new in its manifestation and empowerment through Christ. Jesus Himself declared a "new commandment" in [John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - Jesus' New Commandment") to love one another as He had loved them, elevating the standard and providing the divine enablement. Secondly, it highlights the **transformative power of Christ's advent**, depicting a decisive shift from the "darkness" of sin, ignorance, and spiritual separation to the "true light" of God's presence and truth. This transition is not merely intellectual but experiential, as believers are brought into fellowship with God through Christ, as detailed in [1 John 1:5-7](/1_john/1-5-7 "1 John 1:5-7 - Walking in the Light"). Finally, it reinforces the **union of believers with Christ**, asserting that the truth of this commandment is "in him and in you," meaning that Christ is the perfect embodiment of this love, and believers, united with Him, are called and enabled to live it out.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **new (Greek, _kainós'_):** This word (G2537) signifies "new in quality or nature," emphasizing a fresh, unprecedented character, rather than merely "new in time" (for which _neos_ would be used). John uses _kainós_ to convey that while the command to love existed before Christ, His life, death, and resurrection, along with the indwelling Spirit, have fundamentally transformed its meaning, depth, and the believer's capacity to fulfill it. It's a qualitative renewal, not just a chronological one.
* **darkness (Greek, _skotía'_):** This term (G4653) denotes "dimness" or "obscurity," used both literally and figuratively. In this context, it refers to spiritual ignorance, moral corruption, and separation from God that characterized humanity before the full revelation of Christ. It represents the realm where sin reigns and truth is obscured, a state of spiritual blindness and moral depravity.
* **shineth (Greek, _phaínō'_):** This verb (G5316) means "to lighten," "to show," or "to appear," implying an active, ongoing manifestation of light. Here, it describes the continuous and active radiance of the "true light" (Christ) in the world and in the lives of believers. It's not a past event but a present reality, indicating the ongoing work of Christ's truth and presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again, a new commandment I write unto you":** John reiterates a command, but qualifies it as "new." This isn't a novel instruction previously unknown, but rather the ancient command to love, now presented with new significance and power in the context of Christ's finished work and the new covenant. It implies a deeper understanding and a fresh enablement for its fulfillment.
* **"which thing is true in him and in you":** This clause explains the "newness." The commandment's truth is perfectly realized and exemplified in Jesus Christ ("in him"). He is the ultimate embodiment of divine love. Furthermore, this truth is also becoming a reality "in you," meaning in believers, as they are united with Christ and indwelt by His Spirit. The love that Christ demonstrated is now being reproduced in His followers, making the commandment a living reality, not just a legalistic demand.
* **"because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth":** This provides the reason and foundation for the commandment's newness and its truth in believers. The "darkness" of sin, ignorance, and spiritual death has been decisively overcome by the coming of Christ, who is the "true light." His advent inaugurated a new spiritual era where His light actively shines, dispelling the former obscurity and empowering believers to walk in truth and love. This signifies a radical, ontological shift in the spiritual landscape.

#### Literary Devices
John masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Paradox** is central, as he presents a commandment that is both "old" (from [1 John 2:7](/1_john/2-7 "1 John 2:7 - The Old Commandment")) and "new" within the same breath, compelling the reader to seek a deeper meaning. This paradox is resolved through the lens of Christ's fulfillment. **Symbolism** is profoundly used with "darkness" representing sin, ignorance, and spiritual death, and "light" symbolizing truth, righteousness, divine presence, and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself. The phrase "the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth" employs **Antithesis**, creating a sharp contrast between two opposing spiritual realities, emphasizing the decisive victory of light over darkness. This also functions as a **Metaphor** for the spiritual transformation experienced by believers who move from a state of spiritual blindness to illumination through Christ. The active verb "shineth" (phaínō) gives the light a dynamic, ongoing quality, reinforcing its present and active power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates the transformative power of the New Covenant, where the law is not abolished but fulfilled and internalized through Christ. The "new commandment" of love, though ancient in its essence, gains its qualitative newness from its perfect embodiment in Jesus and its enablement by the Holy Spirit within believers. It moves beyond external adherence to an internal, Spirit-empowered living out of God's character. The passing of darkness and the shining of true light speak to the inaugurated eschatology of the Christian faith – the decisive victory over sin and death has occurred in Christ, and believers now live in the dawn of His kingdom, even as they await its full consummation. This reality calls for a life that reflects the light and love of God, serving as a witness to a world still shrouded in spiritual darkness.

* [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - Light Shines in Darkness")
* [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")
* [Romans 13:12](/romans/13-12 "Romans 13:12 - Put on the Armor of Light")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First John 2:8 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound spiritual reality that underpins the Christian life. We are no longer defined by the "darkness" of our former lives – characterized by sin, ignorance, and alienation from God – but by the "true light" that has dawned in Jesus Christ. This isn't merely a theological concept but a call to active transformation. If the darkness is truly past and the light now shines in us, then our lives should visibly reflect this truth. This means actively choosing love over hate, truth over deceit, and compassion over indifference in our daily interactions. It challenges us to examine whether our actions, attitudes, and relationships truly bear witness to the light of Christ within us, or if we are still clinging to remnants of the old darkness. The "new commandment" of love, empowered by Christ, becomes the practical outworking of this spiritual reality, urging us to live as children of light, radiating God's love to a world still in need of His illuminating truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does the "newness" of the commandment of love challenge my understanding of Christian ethics?**
* **How does the declaration that "the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth" impact my daily walk and choices?**
* **Am I actively allowing the "true light" of Christ to shine through my life, or are there areas where I am still clinging to "darkness"?**
* **How can I more intentionally embody the love of Christ, making the "new commandment" true in my actions towards others?**

### FAQ
**What does John mean by "new commandment" when he just called it "old" in the previous verse?**

Answer: John is not contradicting himself but revealing a deeper truth about the commandment to love. In [1 John 2:7](/1_john/2-7 "1 John 2:7 - The Old Commandment"), he calls it "old" because it was given "from the beginning" – referring to its ancient origin in God's moral law (e.g., [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor")) and the foundational teaching believers received from the start of their Christian journey. However, in [1 John 2:8](/1_john/2-8 "1 John 2:8 - The New Commandment"), he calls it "new" because its meaning, depth, and the power to fulfill it have been radically transformed and fully revealed through Jesus Christ. It's "new" in its perfect embodiment in Christ, its empowering by the Holy Spirit, and its elevated standard (loving "as I have loved you," [John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - Jesus' New Commandment")). It's a qualitative newness, not merely a chronological one.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First John 2:8 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is both the perfect embodiment of the "new commandment" and the "true light" that dispels all darkness. The "new commandment" to love is new because it is perfectly lived out by Christ Himself, who laid down His life for us ([1 John 3:16](/1_john/3-16 "1 John 3:16 - Love Defined by Christ")). He is the ultimate example and the divine enabler of this love, making it a living reality "in him and in you." Furthermore, Jesus is explicitly identified as the "true light" ([John 1:9](/john/1-9 "John 1:9 - The True Light")) who came into the world to overcome the "darkness" of sin and spiritual death ([John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - Light Shines in Darkness")). His incarnation, atoning death, and resurrection decisively brought about the passing of this darkness, inaugurating a new era where His illuminating truth and life now shine forth. Believers, united with Christ through faith, participate in this victory, receiving His light and being empowered by His Spirit to walk in love, thereby manifesting the truth of this "new commandment" in their transformed lives ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Children of Light")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 5:8

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Romans 13:12

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 8:12

¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 1:9

[That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.