Devine Scripture

1 John 2:10

What does 1 John 2:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:10 means

Love for one’s brother is evidence of truly dwelling in the light. Where love abides, the pathway is clear—there is “no occasion of stumbling.” Love guards from tripping ourselves through pride or bitterness, and from causing others to fall through harshness or neglect. It steadies the community, aligns us with God’s character, and clears moral sight. The presence of sincere, active love shows that the life of Christ is at work. This is not sentimental feeling but practical goodwill and care shaped by God’s truth. In such a life, the light illumines steps and relationships alike.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who has love for his brother is in the light, and there is no cause of error in him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

he who is loving his brother, in the light he doth remain, and a stumbling-block in him there is not;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light: and there is no scandal in him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He that loves his brother abides in light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

Context

Verse 10 states the positive side of the love test introduced in verse 9. It shows love’s fruit: stability and clarity along the path. Immediately, verse 11 will restate the negative, portraying how hatred keeps a person stumbling in darkness. After completing this light-versus-darkness contrast in relationships, John will turn to reassure his audience of their standing in Christ across different stages of spiritual maturity (verses 12–14).

v.9He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.

v.10This passage

v.11But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 9:32

    Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;

  • John 8:31

    Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;

  • Romans 14:13

    Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.

  • Matthew 18:7

    Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!

  • Matthew 13:21

    yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.

  • Philippians 1:10

    so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

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