Devine Scripture

1 John 2:29

What does 1 John 2:29 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:29 means

If we recognize that God is righteous, we can also recognize His children by resemblance: “every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.” New birth produces new behavior. This does not suggest sinlessness, but a real, ongoing practice of righteousness that reflects God’s character. The evidence of being born of God is not merely words or experiences but a changed life. John anchors identity in God’s nature and work: the righteous Father begets righteous children. This closing line bridges to the next theme—what it means to be God’s children—while sealing the chapter’s tests of life with a simple, searching mark.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If you have knowledge that he is upright, it is clear to you that everyone who does righteousness is his offspring.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

if ye know that he is righteous, know ye that every one doing the righteousness, of him hath been begotten.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If you know that he is just, know ye, that every one also who doth justice is born of him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

If ye know that he is righteous, know that every one who practises righteousness is begotten of him.

Context

Verse 29 concludes the chapter by linking God’s righteous nature to the believer’s practice of righteousness as evidence of new birth. It follows the call to abide so as to meet Christ’s appearing with boldness (verse 28) and prepares for chapter 3’s development of the believer’s identity as God’s children. Within chapter 2, it sums up the pattern: true knowledge of God shows in obedience, love, steadfast confession of the Son, separation from the world, and a life shaped by the righteous Father.

v.28And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

v.29This passage

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 3:5

    And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin.

  • Acts 10:35

    but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

  • 1 John 5:18

    We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.

  • 1 John 3:9

    Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.

  • Hebrews 1:8

    but of the Sonhe saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

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