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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 John 2:5 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:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/2-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/62_1Jn_02_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 2:5 - Jesus Our Advocate" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. 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This is how we know we are in him: <a href="/nlt/1_john/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. <a href="/esv/1_john/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: <a href="/bsb/1_john/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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: <a href="/blb/1_john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But whoever may keep His word, truly in him the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/kjv/1_john/2.htm">King James Bible</a> But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. <a href="/nkjv/1_john/2.htm">New King James Version</a> But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. <a href="/nasb_/1_john/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/nasb/1_john/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/nasb77/1_john/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/lsb/1_john/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> but whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/amp/1_john/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: <a href="/csb/1_john/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him: <a href="/hcsb/1_john/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: <a href="/asv/1_john/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: <a href="/cev/1_john/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We truly love God only when we obey him as we should, and then we know we belong to him. <a href="/erv/1_john/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby know we that we are in him: <a href="/gwt/1_john/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God's love is perfected. That's how we know we are in Christ. <a href="/gnt/1_john/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: <a href="/isv/1_john/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> But whoever continually keeps his commandments is the kind of person in whom God's love has truly been perfected. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: <a href="/msb/1_john/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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: <a href="/net/1_john/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. <a href="/nheb/1_john/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But whoever keeps his word, God's love has truly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: <a href="/wbt/1_john/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But whoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him. <a href="/wey/1_john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But whoever obeys His Message, in him love for God has in very deed reached perfection. By this we can know that we are in Him. <a href="/web/1_john/2.htm">World English Bible</a> But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and whoever may keep His word, truly the love of God has been perfected in him; in this we know that we are in Him. <a href="/blb/1_john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But whoever may keep His word, truly in him the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/ylt/1_john/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and whoever may keep his word, truly in him the love of God hath been perfected; in this we know that in him we are. <a href="/slt/1_john/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Whoever should keep his word, truly in him has the word of God been completed: in this we know that we are in him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected; and by this we know that we are in him. <a href="/cpdv/1_john/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him. <a href="/nabre/1_john/2.htm">New American Bible</a> 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: <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him:<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby we know that we are in him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But he who keeps his word, in this one truly the love of God is perfected, for by this we know that we are in him.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But whoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him. <a href="/godbey/1_john/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> but whosoever shall keep his word, truly the divine love of God has been made perfect in him. In this we know that we are in him. <a href="/haweis/1_john/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But whosoever keepeth his word, verily in him is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him. <a href="/mace/1_john/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but he that observes his precepts, loves God with a true and perfect love: 'tis by this we know that we are truly christians. <a href="/wey/1_john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But whoever obeys His Message, in him love for God has in very deed reached perfection. By this we can know that we are in Him. <a href="/worrell/1_john/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but whosoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God has been perfected: in this we know that we are in Him. <a href="/worsley/1_john/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: and by this we know that we are in Him. <a href="/parallel/1_john/2-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlZ5ywDtQGE?start=144" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_john/2.htm">Jesus Our Advocate</a> …4If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: d’ (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">if anyone</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tērē (V-PSA-3S) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">keeps</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logon (N-AMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">word,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapē (N-NFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/5048.htm" title="5048: teteleiōtai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.">has been truly perfected</a> <a href="/greek/230.htm" title="230: alēthōs (Adv) -- Truly, really, certainly, surely. Adverb from alethes; truly."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutō (DPro-DMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">him.</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: En (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">By</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutō (DPro-DNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskomen (V-PIA-1P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">we know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esmen (V-PIA-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">we are</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him:</a> 6Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/14-21.htm">John 14:21</a> Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” <a href="/john/15-10.htm">John 15:10</a> If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. <a href="/john/14-23.htm">John 14:23</a> Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31</a> So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. <a href="/1_john/5-3.htm">1 John 5:3</a> For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, <a href="/2_john/1-6.htm">2 John 1:6</a> And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love. <a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a> A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a> Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a> If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ... <a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a> The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a> And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. <a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">Psalm 119:1-2</a> Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. / Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. <a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Psalm 119:11</a> I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But whoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.whoso.<a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3,4</a> And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments… <a href="/psalms/105-45.htm">Psalm 105:45</a> That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.<a href="/psalms/106-3.htm">Psalm 106:3</a> Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.in him.<a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12,18</a> No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us… <a href="/james/2-22.htm">James 2:22</a> Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?hereby.<a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">1 John 2:27,28</a> But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him… <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">1 John 3:24</a> 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.<a href="/1_john/4-13.htm">1 John 4:13,15,16</a> Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/1-4.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/james/3-16.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">Hereby</a> <a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">Keepeth</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-17.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/1-10.htm">Message</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-5.htm">Obeys</a> <a href="/james/2-22.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Perfection</a> <a href="/james/5-4.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-20.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/1_john/1-10.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/1_john/2-14.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">Hereby</a> <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">Keepeth</a> <a href="/1_john/3-6.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/2-7.htm">Message</a> <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">Obeys</a> <a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">Perfection</a> <a href="/revelation/1-13.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/1_john/2-29.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/1_john/2-7.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">1 John 2</div>1. <a href="/1_john/2-1.htm">He comforts them against the sins of infirmity.</a> 3. <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments;</a> 9. <a href="/1_john/2-9.htm">to love our brothers;</a> 15. <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">and not to love the world.</a> 18. <a href="/1_john/2-18.htm">We must beware of antichrists;</a> 20. <a href="/1_john/2-20.htm">from whose deceits the godly are safe, preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_john/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But if anyone keeps His word This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a demonstration of genuine faith. In the biblical context, "keeping His word" refers to living according to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ. This echoes the teachings of Jesus in <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." The concept of obedience is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where adherence to God's law was a sign of covenant faithfulness (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-17.htm">Deuteronomy 6:17</a>). In the New Testament, this obedience is not merely legalistic but is a response to the grace and love received through Christ.the love of God has been truly perfected in him This phrase suggests that the love of God reaches its intended goal or maturity in those who obey His word. The Greek word for "perfected" (τετελείωται) implies completion or fulfillment. This reflects the transformative power of God's love, which is made complete in believers as they live out their faith. The idea of love being perfected is also seen in 1 <a href="/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12</a>, where it is stated that God's love is perfected in us when we love one another. This perfection is not about human effort but about the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, producing the fruit of love (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22</a>).By this we know that we are in Him: This phrase provides assurance of one's relationship with God. The concept of being "in Him" is a recurring theme in the writings of John, indicating a deep, abiding relationship with Christ (<a href="/john/15-4.htm">John 15:4-5</a>). It signifies union with Christ, where believers are spiritually connected to Him and share in His life. This assurance is not based on feelings but on the evidence of a transformed life characterized by obedience and love. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of covenant relationship, where being "in" God or Christ signifies belonging and identity (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a> The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The audience of John's letter, consisting of early Christians who were facing false teachings and needed encouragement to remain faithful. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Central to the message of 1 John, as the embodiment of God's love and the one whose teachings believers are called to keep.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/obedience_as_evidence_of_love.htm">Obedience as Evidence of Love</a> Keeping God's word is a tangible expression of our love for Him. True love for God is demonstrated through our actions and obedience to His commandments. <a href="/topical/p/perfection_of_love.htm">Perfection of Love</a> The phrase "the love of God has been truly perfected" suggests a process of maturation. As we obey God's word, His love is brought to completion in us, transforming our character and actions. <a href="/topical/a/assurance_of_salvation.htm">Assurance of Salvation</a> By keeping God's word, we gain assurance that we are in Him. This assurance is not based on feelings but on the evidence of a life aligned with His teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit empowers us to keep God's word and perfects His love in us. We are not left to our own strength but are guided and enabled by the Spirit. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> Engaging with a community of believers helps us to keep God's word. Accountability and encouragement from others are vital in our spiritual growth and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_john_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 John 2</a> <a href="/q/fully_committed_to_god's_teachings.htm">Are you fully committed to following God's teachings?</a> <a href="/q/who_has_cast_a_spell_on_you.htm">What does 'walking in truth' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_fellowship_with_god.htm">What defines fellowship with God?</a> <a href="/q/peter_lombard__bio,_theology,_works.htm">What are Peter Lombard's biography, theology, and works?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - Once more (cf. <a href="/1_john/1-7.htm">1 John 1:7, 9</a>) the opposite is stated and the thought carried further. But whoso keepeth his word (his doctrine as a whole, including the separate commandments), of a truth in him hath the love of God been perfected; i.e., as an accomplished fact; the relation of love has been established. In St. John ἀληθῶς is no mere expletive; it expresses reality, and reality that is known. From verse 4 we might have expected "of a truth he knoweth God;" but the apostle goes beyond this, and shows that really knowing God involves loving him (comp. <a href="/1_john/4-11.htm">1 John 4:11</a>). The context shows that τοῦ Θεοῦ is objective - his love of God rather than God's love of him. The insertion of τοῦ Θεοῦ here, and the drift of the Epistle thus far, are in favour of αὐτόν and αὐτοῦ in verses 3-5 meaning God rather than Christ, although αὐτός in verse 2 tells the other way. The last clause sums up and reaffirms, but as usual with a new turn of thought, the whole section (verses 3-5), which begins and ends with ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν. Knowing God implies keeping his Word; and keeping his Word involves loving him; and all this implies being in him, i.e., having that fellowship with him and his Son in which the Christian's life (which is eternal life) consists, and to promote which St. John publishes his Gospel (<a href="/1_john/1-3.htm">1 John 1:3, 4</a>). <a href="/commentaries/1_john/2-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δ’ (d’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. if anyone ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. keeps τηρῇ (tērē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. word, λόγον (logon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. love ἀγάπη (agapē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. of God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. has been truly perfected τετελείωται (teteleiōtai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. him. τούτῳ (toutō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. By Ἐν (En) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. this τούτῳ (toutō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. we know γινώσκομεν (ginōskomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. we are ἐσμεν (esmen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Him: αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps his word God's love (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/2-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 2:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 2:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/2-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 2:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 2:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>