1 John 2:29 kjv

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1 John 2:29 nkjv

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

1 John 2:29 niv

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

1 John 2:29 esv

If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

1 John 2:29 nlt

Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God's children.

1 John 2 verses

1 John 2 29 Meaning

First John 2:29 proclaims that a true understanding of God's inherent righteousness will lead one to recognize that anyone consistently living a life characterized by righteous deeds is indeed a child of God, having received spiritual birth from Him. It links God's righteous nature to the expected character and conduct of His regenerated followers, presenting righteous practice as a vital indicator of genuine spiritual new birth.

1 John 2 29 Context

First John 2:29 stands as a pivotal statement within a section (1 John 2:18–3:10) where John delineates true believers from those espousing false doctrines, often characterized as proto-Gnostic tendencies. These false teachers often denied the true humanity of Christ or minimized the significance of sin, claiming spiritual insight without corresponding ethical conduct. John systematically presents several "tests" of authentic Christian faith: the obedience test (1 Jn 2:3-6), the love test (1 Jn 2:7-11), and in 1 Jn 2:29, the righteousness test. He insists that genuine relationship with God—specifically being "born of Him"—is inextricably linked to righteous living, providing a clear distinction for his audience who might be confused by the prevalent anti-ethical teachings of the day.

1 John 2 29 Word analysis

• If you know (Ἐὰν οἴδατε - Ean oidate): "Ean" introduces a condition. "Oidate" (from oida) signifies a complete, settled, and factual knowledge, implying a firm theological understanding.
• that He (ὅτι ἐκεῖνος - hoti ekeinos): "He" refers unambiguously to God the Father or to Christ Himself, often interchangeably used by John to signify divine nature.
• is righteous (δίκαιός ἐστιν - dikaios estin): "Dikaios" defines God's character as just, morally perfect, and perfectly conforming to His own standard of right. "Estin" confirms His essential, inherent nature.
• you know (γινώσκετε - ginōskete): "Ginōskete" (from ginōskō) here is in the present tense, implying a progressive, experiential knowledge, or a logical deduction resulting from the initial, settled knowledge (oida). It's an unfolding realization based on the truth of God's righteousness.
• that everyone (ὅτι πᾶς - hoti pas): "Pas" is universal, encompassing all true believers.
• who practices (ὁ ποιῶν - ho poiōn): A present active participle, denoting continuous action, habitual conduct, or a consistent lifestyle. It's not about isolated acts, but the overall trajectory and character of one's life. "Poieō" means to do, to make, to perform.
• righteousness (τὴν δικαιοσύνην - tēn dikaiosynēn): Refers to moral uprightness, just behavior, and conduct that aligns with God's perfect standard. It's the tangible outflow of a renewed heart.
• has been born (γεγέννηται - gegennētai): A perfect passive indicative verb. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with lasting results, while the passive voice highlights that this is a divine work—God performs the spiritual birth. The state of having been born of God is a permanent reality.
• of Him (ἐξ αὐτοῦ - ex autou): Indicates the source or origin of this new spiritual life. Believers are born out of God Himself, sharing His divine nature and moral character.

Words-group analysis:

• "If you know that He is righteous": This phrase establishes the foundational premise. The believer's settled conviction about God's character (perfect righteousness) is the theological starting point for understanding true spiritual life.
• "you know that everyone who practices righteousness": This transitions from the premise to the observable outcome. The experiential knowledge that results from God's character leads to discerning the evidence in others—consistent righteous living.
• "has been born of Him": This climactic phrase presents the divine act behind the righteous life. Practicing righteousness is not a means to become born of God, but rather the unmistakable evidence that one has been born of God, demonstrating a shared nature.

1 John 2 29 Bonus section

• This verse highlights one of John's key "tests of life" found in his epistle, distinguishing true believers from false ones: the moral test of righteousness. Others include the test of obedience and the test of love.
• The progression from oida (factual knowledge about God) to ginōskō (experiential knowledge about others based on that fact) illustrates how sound theology leads to accurate spiritual discernment.
• The phrase "has been born of Him" indicates a definitive, completed, and irreversible spiritual reality, emphasizing God's sovereign act in regeneration. Our righteous practice flows from this new nature, it does not create it.
• This verse underscores the profound biblical truth that the new creation in Christ produces new behavior. It is the tree (spiritual birth) that determines the fruit (righteous deeds).

1 John 2 29 Commentary

1 John 2:29 profoundly connects the believer's ethical conduct with their divine origin. John argues from the very nature of God: if God, who is our Father, is inherently righteous, then His children, who have received new life from Him, will necessarily bear a resemblance to His character. Thus, the consistent "practice" of righteousness becomes a primary indicator—a fruit—of having truly "been born of Him." This verse underscores that salvation is not merely a cognitive assent to truths, nor is it a ticket to spiritual apathy. Instead, it is a transformative rebirth that inherently reorients a person towards living in a way that pleases God, reflecting His character. This practice of righteousness is not about achieving sinless perfection but refers to the general, habitual direction of one's life, marked by repentance when failing and a consistent pursuit of God's will. It refutes any claim to divine relationship that lacks corresponding moral uprightness, serving as a vital diagnostic test for genuine faith.