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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 2:9 If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/2-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/62_1Jn_02_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 2:9 - A New Commandment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_john/2.htm">New International Version</a> Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. <a href="/nlt/1_john/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. <a href="/esv/1_john/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. <a href="/bsb/1_john/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. <a href="/blb/1_john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The one claiming to be in the light and hating his brother is in the darkness even until now. <a href="/kjv/1_john/2.htm">King James Bible</a> He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. <a href="/nkjv/1_john/2.htm">New King James Version</a> He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. <a href="/nasb_/1_john/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. <a href="/nasb/1_john/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. <a href="/nasb77/1_john/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. <a href="/lsb/1_john/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. <a href="/amp/1_john/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The one who says he is in the Light [in consistent fellowship with Christ] and yet habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in the darkness until now. <a href="/csb/1_john/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. <a href="/hcsb/1_john/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in the darkness until now. <a href="/asv/1_john/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. <a href="/cev/1_john/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark. <a href="/erv/1_john/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. <a href="/gwt/1_john/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark. <a href="/gnt/1_john/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour. <a href="/isv/1_john/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> The person who says that he is in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. <a href="/net/1_john/2.htm">NET Bible</a> The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness. <a href="/nheb/1_john/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now. <a href="/wbt/1_john/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. <a href="/wey/1_john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother man is still in darkness.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/1_john/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. <a href="/web/1_john/2.htm">World English Bible</a> He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> he who is saying he is in the light, and is hating his brother, he is in the darkness until now; <a href="/blb/1_john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The one claiming to be in the light and hating his brother is in the darkness even until now. <a href="/ylt/1_john/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> he who is saying, in the light he is, and his brother is hating, in the darkness he is till now; <a href="/slt/1_john/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> He saying he is in the light, and hating his brother, is in the darkness even until now.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. <a href="/cpdv/1_john/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Whoever declares himself to be in the light, and yet hates his brother, is in the darkness even now. <a href="/nabre/1_john/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He who says he is in the light but hates his brother, is therefore in darkness even until now. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Whoever says, therefore, that he is in the light and hates his brother, is in darkness still.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness till now. <a href="/godbey/1_john/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> The one saying that he is in the light, and hating his brother, is in the darkness until now. <a href="/haweis/1_john/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> He who saith, that he is in the light, yet hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. <a href="/mace/1_john/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> he that says, he is in the light, and yet hates his brother, is still in darkness. <a href="/wey/1_john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother man is still in darkness. <a href="/worrell/1_john/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> He who says that he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now. <a href="/worsley/1_john/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now he that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is still in darkness: <a href="/parallel/1_john/2-9.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=186" 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">A New Commandment</a> …8Then 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. 9<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">If anyone</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">claims</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">to be</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/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- 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/5457.htm" title="5457: phōti (N-DNS) -- Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.">light</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3404.htm" title="3404: misōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.">hates</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/80.htm" title="80: adelphon (N-AMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">he is</a> <a href="/greek/2193.htm" title="2193: heōs (Prep) -- A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.">still</a> <a href="/greek/737.htm" title="737: arti (Adv) -- Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now."></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/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- 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/4653.htm" title="4653: skotia (N-DFS) -- Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.">darkness.</a> 10Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.…<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/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="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14-15</a> We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. / Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20-21</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. <a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Matthew 5:22</a> But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. <a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8-9</a> If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. / But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. <a href="/john/15-12.htm">John 15:12-13</a> This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. / Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. <a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Ephesians 4:31-32</a> Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Leviticus 19:17-18</a> You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. / 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="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</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="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14-15</a> The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a> Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm">Colossians 3:12-14</a> Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a> But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>He that said he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.that saith.<a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">1 John 2:4</a> He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.he is.<a href="/1_john/1-6.htm">1 John 1:6</a> If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:<a href="/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41</a> Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.<a href="/romans/2-18.htm">Romans 2:18-21</a> And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; … and hateth.<a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">1 John 3:13-17</a> Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you… is in.<a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">1 John 2:11</a> But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.<a href="/psalms/82-5.htm">Psalm 82:5</a> They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.<a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-3</a> Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/2-6.htm">Claims</a> <a href="/1_john/1-6.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/1_john/2-8.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-3.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-29.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/john/15-23.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/titus/3-3.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_john/2-8.htm">Light</a> <a href="/1_john/2-6.htm">Professes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/15-3.htm">Claims</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/revelation/4-3.htm">Light</a> <a href="/james/2-14.htm">Professes</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>If anyone claims to be in the light This phrase addresses the concept of spiritual enlightenment and truth, which is a central theme in the Johannine writings. The "light" symbolizes truth, purity, and the presence of God, as seen in <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a>, where Jesus is described as the light of men. The claim to be "in the light" suggests a profession of faith or a declaration of living according to God's truth. In the cultural context of the early church, claiming to be in the light would mean aligning oneself with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, distinguishing oneself from the darkness of sin and ignorance.but hates his brother Hatred towards a brother, in this context, refers to animosity or lack of love towards fellow believers. The term "brother" is often used in the New Testament to denote fellow Christians, emphasizing the familial bond within the body of Christ. This phrase highlights the inconsistency between professing to live in the light and harboring hatred, which contradicts the commandment to love one another as seen in <a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a>. The cultural and historical context of the early church, which faced divisions and false teachings, underscores the importance of love and unity among believers.he is still in the darkness Being "in the darkness" signifies living in sin, ignorance, or separation from God. Despite any claims to the contrary, harboring hatred is evidence of remaining in spiritual darkness. This echoes the dualistic themes found throughout John's writings, where light and darkness are used to contrast truth and falsehood, righteousness and sin. Theologically, this serves as a warning that genuine faith is evidenced by love and obedience, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-7</a>, where walking in the light is associated with fellowship and cleansing from sin.<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 in his writings. 2. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_community.htm">Early Christian Community</a> The audience of John's letter, likely composed of believers in Asia Minor facing challenges from false teachings and internal divisions. 3. <a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a> Individuals who were spreading incorrect doctrines and causing confusion and division within the early church. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_light.htm">The Light</a> A metaphor for living in truth, righteousness, and fellowship with God, often used by John to describe the presence and influence of God in a believer's life. 5. <a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a> Symbolizes sin, ignorance, and separation from God, representing a life not aligned with God's truth and love.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_incompatibility_of_light_and_hatred.htm">The Incompatibility of Light and Hatred</a> Claiming to be in the light while harboring hatred is contradictory. True fellowship with God requires love for others. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_love_in_christian_identity.htm">The Importance of Love in Christian Identity</a> Love for fellow believers is a defining characteristic of a true Christian. It reflects the transformative power of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination_and_repentance.htm">Self-Examination and Repentance</a> Believers should regularly examine their hearts for any traces of hatred or bitterness and seek repentance and reconciliation. <a href="/topical/t/the_witness_of_love.htm">The Witness of Love</a> Demonstrating love for others serves as a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and truth. <a href="/topical/w/walking_in_the_light.htm">Walking in the Light</a> Living in the light involves active engagement in loving relationships, promoting unity and peace within the Christian community.<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/do_haters_of_brothers_walk_in_darkness.htm">Do those who hate their brother walk in darkness?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_demons_remain_silent.htm">What does being called into marvelous light mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_cup_of_salvation.htm">What is sin that does not lead to death?</a> <a href="/q/was_hitler_a_christian.htm">Was Adolf Hitler a follower of Christianity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_john/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) Here (<a href="/context/1_john/2-9.htm" title="He that said he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.">1John 2:9-11</a>) is the chief way in which the old commandment, the new commandment, the word from the beginning, the walk in light would be manifested: brotherly love towards those with whom we have fellowship in Jesus Christ, God's Son. And as He, by being the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, had declared the universality of God's family and kingdom, so the sympathy of believers would extend in different degrees as far as the whole human race; to those first who were conscious of the same hopes as themselves; to those next who might be brought to share them; to those, perhaps, in a less degree, who in every nation feared God and worked righteousness without knowing the Saviour personally; and so on, finally, to all who did not wilfully excommunicate themselves. But the brotherly love would be chiefly amongst Christian friends, else it would be diffused into nothingness.(9) He that saith . . .--The whole history of religious rancour has been a deplorable illustration of these words. Controversy for principles honestly and reasonably held is one thing: prejudice, spite, private censures and condemnations, harsh words, suspicions, jealousies, misunderstandings and misrepresentations are the chief props of the kingdom of darkness among Christian churches and nations. (Comp. <a href="/john/13-34.htm" title="A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.">John 13:34</a>; <a href="/john/15-12.htm" title="This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.">John 15:12</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm" title="And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.">1Corinthians 13:2</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm" title="Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:">1Peter 1:22</a>; <a href="/context/2_peter/1-7.htm" title="And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.">2Peter 1:7-9</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 9-11. - Walking in the light excludes all hatred towards brethren, for such hatred is a form of darkness. These verses set forth in a variety of forms the affinity between love and light, hatred and darkness, and the consequent incompatibility between hatred and light. "Hate" μισεῖν is not to be watered down into "neglect" or "fail to love." St. John knows nothing of such compromises. Love is love, and hate is hate, and between the two there is no neutral ground, any more than between life and death, or between Christ and antichrist. "He that is not with me is against me." "Love is the moral counterpart of intellectual light. It is a modern fashion to represent these two tempers as necessarily opposed. But St. John is at once earnestly dogmatic and earnestly philanthropic; for the Incarnation has taught him both the preciousness of man and the preciousness of truth" (Liddon). Verse 9. - He that saith. For the fifth time St. John points out a glaring inconsistency which is possible between profession and fact (ἐὰν εἴπμεν, <a href="/1_john/1-6.htm">1 John 1:6, 8, 10</a>; ὁ λέγων, <a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">1 John 2:4</a>.9); cf. <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20</a>. In all these passages the case is put hypothetically; but in some of the Gnostic teaching of the age this inconsistency existed beyond a doubt. Is in darkness even until now. His supposing that hatred is compatible with light proves the darkness in which he is. Nay, more, it shows that, in spite of his having nominally entered the company of the children of light, he has really never left the darkness. "If ye loved only your brethren, ye would not yet be perfect; but if ye hate your brethren, what are ye? where are ye?" (St. Augustine). <a href="/commentaries/1_john/2-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If anyone Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine 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. claims λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to be εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <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. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter 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. light φωτὶ (phōti) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5457.htm">Strong's 5457: </a> Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. hates μισῶν (misōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3404.htm">Strong's 3404: </a> To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less. 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. brother, ἀδελφὸν (adelphon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. he is ἐστὶν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <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. still ἕως (heōs) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2193.htm">Strong's 2193: </a> A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. 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. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative 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. darkness. σκοτίᾳ (skotia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4653.htm">Strong's 4653: </a> Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/2-9.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 2:9 He who says he (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/2-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 2:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 2:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/2-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 2:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 2:10" /></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>