1 John 2:8
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
1 John 2:8 (KJV)
Context
The apostle John wrote this letter to early Christian believers to encourage them in their faith and to address issues within their community. Key themes include love, obedience to God’s commandments, and assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Meaning
John begins verse 8 by saying he writes “a new commandment.” This commandment is not entirely new in the sense that it had never been revealed before; rather, it is presented in a fresh way through Jesus. It is the command to love one another, which Jesus gave in John 13:34-35. The commandment is called “new” because it is excellent, just as a new name is an excellent name and a new song is an excellent one. It is renewed by Christ under the Gospel, newly explained by him, and purged from false interpretations.
The phrase “which thing is true in him and in you” means the commandment is true in Christ—it has its full completion in him, who is the fulfilling end of the law and the great pattern and exemplar of it. It is also true in believers, as the love this commandment requires is really and truly in the saints, implanted in them in regeneration, a fruit of the Spirit. Some manuscripts read “in us” instead of “in you.“
John states that “the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.” This indicates that the darkness of moral blindness is clearing away and the true Light, the revelation of God in Christ, is already shining. This true light enables believers to see things in a right light—both their own sins and the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ. This light shines more and more to the perfect day, will never be put out, and is the cause of brotherly love being truly in the saints. Before this light shines, men live in malice, but when it shines, as they walk in light, they walk in love.
Biblical connections
The new commandment is directly connected to Jesus’ words in John 13:34-35, where he commands his disciples to love one another as he has loved them. This love is not merely a superficial emotion but is demonstrated through selfless actions and sacrificial love for others. Jesus perfectly exemplified this love during His earthly ministry, and as His followers, we are called to imitate His love in our lives.
Application
As believers, this verse reminds us of the central importance of love in our Christian walk. We are called to love one another with the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus demonstrated. This love should extend not only to fellow believers but also to those who do not yet know Christ. By loving others, we bear witness to our faith and reflect the true light of Christ in the world.
Reflection
1 John 2:8 underscores the significance of the new commandment to love one another, which is true in Jesus and in the lives of believers. Through Christ, the darkness of sin has been overcome, and His true light now shines, illuminating our lives and guiding us in love and righteousness.
