Devine Scripture

1 John 2:9

What does 1 John 2:9 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:9 means

A person may claim to live in God’s light, yet hatred toward a brother exposes ongoing darkness. John underscores that fellowship with God cannot be separated from love for fellow believers. Hatred contradicts the very nature of the light that now shines in Christ. This is not about minor disagreements but a settled disposition of hostility. Where such hatred persists, one remains in darkness “even until now,” showing that the light has not taken hold. True enlightenment produces love; without it, claims of spiritual insight or maturity ring hollow and deceive both speaker and hearers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who says that he is in the light, and has hate in his heart for his brother, is still in the dark.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

he who is saying, in the light he is, and his brother is hating, in the darkness he is till now;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness until now.

Context

Building on the old/new commandment and the dawning light (verses 7–8), verse 9 offers the first negative test: hatred for a brother unmasks darkness regardless of profession. Verses 10–11 will complete the contrast, first describing love’s stabilizing, non-stumbling effect, then revealing hatred’s blinding, disorienting power. This section prepares the way for John’s pastoral affirmations to various groups in the church (verses 12–14).

v.8Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.

v.9This passage

v.10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Peter 1:9

    For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

  • 1 John 3:13

    Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you.

  • 1 John 2:4

    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

  • 1 John 4:20

    If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.

  • John 9:41

    Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.

  • 1 John 1:6

    If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

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