What does 1 John 2:7 mean?

Explanation

1 John 2:7 speaks to an audience that is familiar with the teachings of Jesus and the Scriptures.

John, the author, is emphasizing continuity with the past rather than introducing a novel idea.

He refers to the "old commandment," which is considered as the fundamental teaching of love and truth the believers heard from the beginning of their conversion or the inception of their faith in Christ.

John indicates that the commandment to love God and one another is not a new teaching but is rooted in the longstanding Judeo-Christian tradition and reiterated by Jesus during His ministry.

Historical Context

The epistle of 1 John is generally understood to have been written toward the end of the first century A.D., possibly between A.D. 85-95.

The early Christian communities faced challenges such as false teachers and doctrinal disagreements, often referred to as antichrists in 1 John.

This backdrop might have prompted John to remind the believers about the fundamental commandment of love, which was central to the teachings of Jesus and the early Church.

The instruction to love was not new to the Jewish believers, as it was deeply imbedded in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 19:18), and for the Gentile believers, it had been a core part of the gospel message since they first believed.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse has been interpreted in different ways.

One view is that the "old commandment" references the Law of Moses, while another suggests it specifically points to Jesus' teaching about love in the Gospel of John, such as John 13:34-35, where Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another.

Some scholars argue that what makes this commandment "new" in the time of Jesus and the early church is the quality and depth of love that believers are called to exhibit, one that is modeled after Jesus' own sacrificial love.

Practical Applications

The instruction in 1 John 2:7 can be applied in several practical ways.

It encourages believers to return to the basics of their faith, focusing on the fundamental aspect of Christian ethics, which is love.

It invites individuals to evaluate their actions, relationships, and community life against the standard of love that has been taught since the beginning of their faith journey.

This verse challenges Christians to express this love not only in words but through sacrificial and tangible actions toward others.

Cross-References

• John 13:34: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
• Leviticus 19:18: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
• 2 John 1:5: "And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another."
• John 15:12: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Language Study

The key term in this verse is "commandment" (Greek: ἐντολή "entolē"), which refers to an authoritative directive or instruction.

In the New Testament, it often refers to the specific commands of Christ, which include the call to love God and one's neighbor profoundly and sacrificially.

By referring to it as an "old" commandment (Greek: παλαιά "palaiá"), John emphasizes its longstanding and foundational nature in the believers’ spiritual heritage.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

John's call to adhere to an "old commandment" can be compared to other religious traditions that emphasize a return to foundational teachings.

For instance, within the context of Judaism, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) is a central declaration of faith that includes the instruction to love God wholeheartedly, which has been foundational since the time of Moses.

Likewise, in Buddhism, adherents are reminded to return to the core principles such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly engage with scientific perspectives, as it relates to moral and ethical instruction rather than empirical observations or claims.

However, the concepts of empathy, altruism, and community fostered by the commandment to love have been subjects of study in the fields of psychology and sociology, which explore the benefits and behaviors associated with social bonds and moral actions.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentaries offer insights into 1 John 2:7.

For example, the Cambridge Bible Commentary notes that the commandment is old in the sense that it existed from the beginning of the Gospel proclamation and is rooted in the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible indicates that the old commandment is the same which had been inscribed on the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary emphasizes that the commandment is perpetual and always binding.

Overall, commentators agree on the timeless and foundational nature of the command to love one another as a central aspect of Christian teaching and practice.