1 John 2:7
What does 1 John 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 2:7 means
John assures his readers that he is not introducing novelties. The commandment he writes about is “old,” known “from the beginning” of their Christian life—namely, the message they first heard. That message included the call to love God and neighbor, made plain in Jesus’ teaching and embodied in His life. By calling it old, John grounds his exhortation in the settled, apostolic word, not in shifting innovations. Faithfulness means returning to what they already received at the start. This stabilizes the church amid confusion and false teaching: the way of love has been the path from the outset.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Brethren, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My loved ones, I do not give you a new law, but an old law which you had from the first; this old law is the word which came to your ears.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Brethren, a new command I write not to you, but an old command, that ye had from the beginning--the old command is the word that ye heard from the beginning;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Beloved, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment, which ye have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye heard.
Context
After holding up Christ’s example (verse 6), John turns in verses 7–8 to the commandment that sums up obedience. He first stresses its continuity—it is not a new invention but the original message they heard when they believed. Yet in the next verse he will also call it new, highlighting how it is freshly true and radiant in Christ and His people. This double description frames the ensuing contrast between love and hatred (verses 9–11).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 6:5
and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
- Leviticus 19:34
The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt: I am Jehovah your God.
- 1 John 3:11
For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:
- Romans 13:8
Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
- 1 John 2:24
As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.
- James 2:8
Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
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