What does 1 John 2:7-11 mean?

⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 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. ⁹ He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. ¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11 KJV)

The New Commandment

The seventh verse may refer back to what was just said (and then walking as Christ walked is represented not as a new but an old commandment, which the apostles certainly emphasized wherever they preached Christ’s gospel), or it may point forward to what the apostle is about to recommend: the law of brotherly love. This is the message heard from the beginning (1 John 3:11), and the old commandment (2 John 1:5). As the apostle prepares to commend this practice, he gives an example of it in his affectionate greeting: “Brothers, you who are dear to me in the bond of that love to which I call you.”

The command to love one another is presented first as an old one: “I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment, which you had from the beginning” (1 John 2:7). The precept of love is as old as human nature, though it has come with different expressions and motivations. In the state of sin and promised recovery, people must love one another as God’s creation, as relatives by blood, and as partners in hope. When the Hebrews were uniquely called, they were to love one another as God’s chosen people, from whose lineage the Messiah would come. The law of love was carried forward with new obligations to the gospel church, and so it is the old commandment that the children of gospel Israel have heard from the beginning (1 John 2:7).

Yet it is also presented as a new one: “Again, a new commandment I write to you”—the law of the new community, the Christian church—”which is true in him and in you” (1 John 2:8). The truth of it was first and fully in Christ; he loved the church and gave himself for it. And it is true in you; this law is written on your hearts; you are taught by God to love one another because the darkness is past and the true light now shines (1 John 2:8). The light of the gospel has entered your hearts; you’ve seen the beauty of Christian love and your obligation to it.

So we see that the core teachings—and especially the core commands—of Christianity may be called both new and old. The doctrine preached in reformed churches is new, having reemerged after long darkness, and old, having been taught from the beginning. We should make sure that what was true in Christ is also true in us. The more our darkness is gone and gospel light shines on us, the more we should obey Christ’s commands, whether considered old or new. Light should bring warmth. Accordingly, here is another test of Christian light. Previously, it was obedience to God; here it is Christian love.

1. Whoever lacks this love cannot honestly claim to be in the light: “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness even until now” (1 John 2:9). While it’s right for true Christians to acknowledge God’s work in their lives, there are always those in the visible church who claim more than is true. Some say they are in the light, yet harbor hatred toward fellow Christians. These cannot be moved by Christ’s love for their brothers and sisters, and so they remain in darkness despite their claims of conversion.
2. Whoever is led by such love proves his light is real: “He who loves his brother remains in the light” (1 John 2:10). He sees why Christian love matters; he understands the worth of Christ’s redemption and how fitting it is to love those whom Christ has loved. As a result, “there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10). He will not lead his brother into sin or cause him to stumble from the faith. Christian love teaches us to value our brother’s soul and avoid anything that might harm his peace or purity.
3. Hatred reveals spiritual darkness: “But he who hates his brother is in darkness” (1 John 2:11). Spiritual light comes from the Spirit of grace, and love is one of its first fruits. Someone filled with hatred toward another Christian lacks that spiritual light. “He walks in darkness and doesn’t know where he’s going, because darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11). The darkness of an unregenerate heart leads the mind, judgment, and conscience astray, and keeps a person from the path of eternal life.

Here we can see how deeply the apostle had changed. There was a time when he wanted to call down fire from heaven on Samaritans who rejected them (Luke 9:54). But Jesus told him he didn’t know what kind of spirit he had. Now, having received more of Christ’s Spirit, he speaks with kindness toward all believers. Jesus is the true Master of love. His church is the school of love. His followers must be people of love, and his household must be a family of love.