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The way we may be sure[a] that we know him is to keep his commandments.(A) Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.(B) But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:3–6 The way we may be sure: to those who claim, “I have known Christ and therefore I know him,” our author insists on not mere intellectual knowledge but obedience to God’s commandments in a life conformed to the example of Christ; this confirms our knowledge of him and is the love of God…perfected. Disparity between moral life and the commandments proves improper belief.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know(A) that we have come to know him(B) if we keep his commands.(C) Whoever says, “I know him,”(D) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.(E) But if anyone obeys his word,(F) love for God[a] is truly made complete in them.(G) This is how we know(H) we are in him:

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love