1 John 3:24 kjv

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 John 3:24 nkjv

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

1 John 3:24 niv

The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

1 John 3:24 esv

Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

1 John 3:24 nlt

Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 24 Meaning

The one who lives a life characterized by obedience to God's commandments truly resides in a deep, abiding union with God, and conversely, God dwells within them. This intimate and reciprocal relationship is known and confirmed to believers by the presence of the Holy Spirit, whom God has graciously given to them. Thus, obedience is the demonstration of our union, and the Spirit is the divine witness and enabler of that union.

1 John 3 24 Context

First John chapter 3 builds upon the epistle's themes of distinguishing true believers from false ones. It transitions from discussing walking in light and purity (chapter 1-2) to the character and privileges of being children of God. John asserts that true children of God do not "practice sin" but live righteously, which is characterized by love for one another and obedience to God's commands (1 Jn 3:6-10). Verse 24 culminates the assurance section beginning in 1 Jn 3:19-21, where John emphasizes the believer's confidence before God, particularly concerning answered prayer when their heart does not condemn them, enabled by their obedience. It serves as a test against the claims of false teachers who might profess faith without demonstrating it in their lives. The mention of "the Spirit" counters the idea that spiritual experience is detached from ethical living, underscoring that the Spirit validates a genuine relationship marked by practical righteousness.

1 John 3 24 Word analysis

• He who keeps (ὁ τηρῶν, ho terōn): From tēreō (τηρέω), meaning to watch, guard, keep, preserve. This isn't about occasional adherence but a continuous, intentional habit of obeying God's commands. It signifies a life direction and commitment, not flawless perfection. It suggests careful observation and adherence.

• His commandments (τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, tas entolas autou): Refers to the divine instructions. In 1 John, the primary "commandment" is faith in Christ and love for one another (1 Jn 3:23), but it encompasses all ethical and moral demands of the New Covenant life (cf. Jn 14:15, 21; 15:10).

• abides in Him (ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, en autō menei): Menō (μένω) signifies to remain, dwell, continue, or persist. It describes a deep, intimate, and continuous union. It is a vital, living connection, akin to a branch abiding in the vine (Jn 15:4-7). It implies sustained communion and fellowship.

• and He in him (καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν αὐτῷ, kai autos en autō): This emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the indwelling relationship. It's not just the believer adhering to God, but God Himself intimately present within the believer. This highlights the mystical, spiritual reality of Christian existence.

• by the Spirit (ἐκ τοῦ Πνεύματος, ek tou Pneumatos): Ek (ἐκ) means "out of" or "from," indicating source, origin, or means. The Holy Spirit is the agent, proof, or source through whom this abiding relationship is known and made possible. It's the internal witness.

• whom He has given us (οὗ ἡμῖν ἔδωκεν, hou hēmin edōken): The Spirit is presented as a divine gift, not something earned. This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and grace in establishing this relationship and providing assurance. The Spirit is a pledge, seal, and anointing (2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13-14).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him": This clause encapsulates the core Johannine theology that true spiritual life is inseparable from ethical conduct. Obedience is both the fruit and the condition of abiding. The "abiding" is a living, mutual communion where the believer's will aligns with God's. It contrasts with a mere intellectual assent or a "faith" without works.
  • "and He in him, by the Spirit whom He has given us": This phrase clarifies how this reciprocal indwelling is known and substantiated. It shifts from the demonstration (obedience) to the internal witness and power (Spirit). The Spirit is not just an assurance, but the very divine power enabling the obedience and the union itself. It connects objective truth (Christ's commands) with subjective experience (the Spirit's presence), safeguarding against claims of spiritual experience without transformed lives, or legalism without divine power. The Spirit is the mark of authentic spiritual reality and divine possession.

1 John 3 24 Bonus section

• Assurance: A key theme in 1 John is "knowing" or having assurance. Verse 24 provides one of the ultimate tests and confirmations of this assurance: the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, connected to a life of active obedience.
• Trinitarian Presence: While focusing on the believer's relationship with the Father and Son, this verse implicitly highlights the Trinity's involvement: the Father/Son abides, and the Holy Spirit (given by God) makes this indwelling known and real.
• Polemics: This verse directly challenges potential proto-Gnostic tendencies that separated spiritual knowledge or experience from ethical conduct. John emphasizes that genuine spirituality (abiding) always manifests in righteous living, and the Spirit validates this lived reality. It counteracts antinomianism, where moral law is disregarded, by insisting on practical obedience as evidence of faith.

1 John 3 24 Commentary

1 John 3:24 serves as a capstone, beautifully integrating the central tenets of Johannine theology: obedience, divine indwelling, and the witness of the Holy Spirit. It posits that a genuine, transformative faith is evidenced not by mere declaration, but by a consistent lifestyle of obedience to God's commandments, primarily defined as believing in Jesus and loving one another (1 Jn 3:23). This obedience signifies and deepens the believer's intimate union ("abiding") with God. The unique contribution of this verse is the role of the Holy Spirit, not just as a comfort but as the definitive internal confirmation and dynamic enabler of this reciprocal indwelling. The Spirit is the divine guarantee, sealing the believer as God's own, and providing an inner sense of His presence, verifying that our claim of abiding in God (and He in us) is real. It's a comprehensive answer to both those who claim union without transformed lives and those who might seek assurance apart from divine enablement. For practical usage, this verse reassures believers who earnestly strive for obedience that they indeed dwell in God, and simultaneously challenges those who may claim faith but live without regard for His commands, emphasizing that genuine spiritual life bears the fruit of righteousness, attested by the Holy Spirit.