2:8a

a new commandment: (Meaning) This refers again to the command to love one another. See the note on 2:7a. John is not referring to a second command.

2:8b

which is true in Him and also in you: (Alternative Interpretations) There are different opinions about what the Greek words refer to in this part of the verse:

(1) John is probably saying, “the newness of this new command is truly seen in him and you.” This is the opinion of most commentators, since it is the most natural meaning of the Greek.

(2) Most English versions give the meaning as, “the truth of this new command is seen in him and you.” However, this is not what the Greek appears to mean.

2:8c–d

For: (Logical Connection) 2:8c–d shows in what way the command is new in Christ and in John’s readers. Christ was God’s light coming into the world driving away the darkness by his love, and for the Christians their whole lives and behavior were being changed as they loved one another.

darkness…light: (Metaphor) See the note on 1:5b–c.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.