A New Commandment

John explains that the command to love is not a novelty but the message believers have had from the beginning, even while it is newly embodied in Christ and in His people as the true light shines. He then sets out a sharp contrast: the one who hates a brother or sister remains in darkness, while the one who loves abides in the light and does not stumble. Hatred, by contrast, blinds and leaves a person morally lost. The paragraph shows that the commandment of love is not optional sentiment but a decisive sign of whether one truly lives in the light.

B⁷eloved, 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. 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. ⁹If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. ¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

John then addresses different groups within the church with words of reassurance. Little children are reminded that their sins are forgiven through Christ's name. Fathers are reminded that they know Him who is from the beginning. Young men are reminded of their strength, the abiding word of God, and their victory over the evil one. The paragraph functions as an affirmation of the church's real standing in Christ even as John continues to warn and exhort them.

¹²I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name. ¹³I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. ¹⁴I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.