1 John 2:5 kjv

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1 John 2:5 nkjv

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

1 John 2:5 niv

But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:

1 John 2:5 esv

but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

1 John 2:5 nlt

But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.

1 John 2 verses

1 John 2 5 Meaning

This verse declares that true spiritual knowledge and genuine union with God are intrinsically linked to obedience to Christ's word. It signifies that for anyone who continually guards and adheres to Christ's teachings, God's love achieves its full expression and intended purpose within that individual. This practical demonstration of faith through obedience becomes the verifiable evidence and assurance that a person truly abides in Christ.

1 John 2 5 Context

1 John chapter 2 begins by affirming that believers have an advocate, Jesus Christ, when they sin, and He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:1-2). Immediately following this, the Apostle John introduces ethical tests or spiritual "tests of fellowship" to distinguish genuine followers of Christ from those who merely profess faith. Verses 3-4 establish that claiming to know God without keeping His commandments is a lie. Verse 5 deepens this by offering the converse: true knowledge of God and an authentic relationship with Him are confirmed and made manifest when one actually keeps His word. Historically, this epistle combats early proto-Gnostic influences that separated spiritual knowledge (gnosis) from moral conduct, implying that one could claim spiritual enlightenment without needing to adhere to ethical living. John directly confronts this, emphasizing that outward obedience is the evidence of inward transformation and true fellowship with the Divine.

1 John 2 5 Word analysis

• But whoever (ὃς δ’ ἄν, hos d’ an): This phrase introduces a strong contrast with the previous verse (1 Jn 2:4), which speaks of those who claim to know God but do not obey. It highlights the universality of the principle – anyone, without exception, who truly embraces this path.

• keeps (τηρῇ, tērē): This Greek verb means more than mere casual observance. It signifies to guard, to watch over, to maintain, to preserve, to obey diligently, and to give careful attention to. It implies an active, continuous, and watchful adherence to what is commanded, not just an occasional act or intellectual agreement.

• his word (τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ, ton logon autou): Refers to the collective body of Christ's teachings, commandments, and the message of the Gospel. In Johannine theology, "Word" (Logos) also carries profound significance, representing Christ Himself (Jn 1:1), indicating that keeping His word is tantamount to walking in His very character and nature.

• in him (ἐν τούτῳ, en toutō): Literally, "in this one." This phrase points to the individual who performs the action of keeping "his word," indicating where the perfecting of love takes place – within the believer's life and experience.

• truly (ἀληθῶς, alēthōs): An adverb emphasizing authenticity, genuineness, and reality. It distinguishes real spiritual experience from pretense or mere profession, underscoring that the completion of God's love is an undeniable and genuine truth.

• the love of God (ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, hē agapē tou Theou): This phrase in Greek can denote either God's love for us or our love for God. Given the context of it being "perfected in him," it likely refers to God's transformative love dwelling and maturing within the believer, or perhaps our responsive love for God, which is itself a result of His love for us, brought to full expression. It's the divine characteristic acting in the believer.

• is perfected (τετελείωται, teteleiotai): This verb is in the perfect passive indicative. "Perfected" (teleioō) means to bring to an end, to accomplish, to complete, to make mature or complete, to reach its intended goal or full function. It implies a process that has been brought to a culmination and has continuing results. It signifies that God's love, having been received, now functions effectively and fully in the believer's life, reaching its complete demonstration, not human achievement of moral perfection. The passive voice ("is perfected") highlights that this is primarily God's work in the individual.

• By this (ἐν τούτῳ, en toutō): This demonstrative phrase refers back to the preceding statement: the keeping of Christ's word and the resulting perfection of God's love. It indicates the means or the sign by which the following truth is discerned.

• we may know (γινώσκομεν, ginōskomen): This Greek verb emphasizes an experiential and intimate knowing, a progressive and continuous understanding, rather than merely intellectual recognition. It speaks to a certain assurance that comes from living out one's faith.

• that we are in him (ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐσμεν, hoti en autō esmen): "In Him" (en autō) is a quintessential Johannine phrase denoting deep spiritual union and fellowship with Christ. It means to be in an intimate, vital relationship, characterized by indwelling and shared life. This phrase speaks to the profound assurance and identity of a believer as being united with Christ.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "whoever keeps his word": This phrase highlights volitional, active, and persistent obedience to the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. It sets the condition for the divine consequence that follows.
  • "in him truly the love of God is perfected": This clause explains the spiritual reality occurring in the obedient believer. It underscores the genuineness of the experience, where God's transformative love achieves its full, mature expression and efficacy within that person, making them capable of truly reflecting God's character.
  • "By this we may know that we are in him": This serves as the practical outcome and verification. It declares that the practical act of obedience, resulting in God's love being perfected, is the reliable evidence by which believers can be assured of their intimate, saving relationship with Christ. It provides certainty for the believer and a visible testament for the world.

1 John 2 5 Bonus section

• The relationship between obedience and love in this verse is reciprocal and interdependent. Keeping Christ's word demonstrates love for God, and it is the indwelling love of God that empowers such obedience. It is not an earning of love, but a manifestation of love received.
• The "perfection" (teleioo) of love signifies its full and operative purpose being fulfilled. It moves from potential to practical expression, reaching its intended spiritual maturity and effectiveness in the believer's character and actions. This state ensures boldness and assurance for the believer (1 Jn 4:17).
• The emphasis on "knowing" (ginōskomen) implies a dynamic, ongoing experiential knowledge, which is cultivated through obedience, providing continuous assurance of one's spiritual standing in Christ, contrasting with mere intellectual assent.
• This verse directly challenges any form of antinomianism, which might suggest that grace or spiritual insight removes the need for adherence to divine moral law. John unequivocally ties spiritual reality to moral conduct.
• "In Him" (en autō) represents a theological shorthand for being truly converted, Spirit-filled, and spiritually united with Christ. The demonstration of God's perfected love through obedience is the external fruit of this internal, saving relationship.

1 John 2 5 Commentary

1 John 2:5 provides a vital criterion for discerning genuine faith. It teaches that the veracity of one's claim to know God is not found in intellectual ascent or mere profession, but in active, sustained obedience to Christ's commandments and teachings, collectively termed "His word." When a believer lives in this obedience, God's love within them is "perfected." This doesn't mean the person becomes morally infallible, but that the love imparted by God reaches its intended goal, becoming fully mature and powerfully effective in that individual's life, manifesting in right conduct and character. This demonstrable maturity of divine love, exhibited through obedience, serves as the concrete and undeniable evidence of a person's true spiritual union with Christ ("we are in him"). Thus, practical righteousness confirms one's fellowship with God, countering any notion that faith can exist detached from ethical living. It's a reminder that genuine discipleship involves both spiritual transformation and behavioral manifestation.For example, a person claiming to love God yet consistently showing dishonesty or hatred would fall outside the parameters of this verse. Conversely, someone who, through prayer and reliance on Christ, strives daily to live out His commands – loving others, forgiving, seeking truth – gives clear evidence that God's love is indeed at work and maturing within them.