Exegesis of 1 John 2:3

Exegesis 1 John 2:3

By Pastor Dave Farmer

Exegesis in support of Expanded Translation

Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to Strong's numbering system whereby Greek words are assigned a number for easy lookup. Those who study the Scripture from the original languages are familiar with this type of lexicon.

1 John 2:3

Now by means of this principle, we [inclusive] ¹ keep on knowing that we [inclusive] have come to know Him [Christ] if we [inclusive] obey His commands. Expanded Translation

The Means of Our Spiritual Advance

3a] Καὶ ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν "Now by means of this, we keep on [inclusive] knowing."

We start the sentence with the transitional use of KAI translated NOW. It indicates we are starting a new thought. This is followed by the prepositional phrase EN [ἐν - #1722] plus the object of the preposition, the instrumental, singular, neuter of the demonstrative pronoun HOUTOS [τούτῳ - #5129] rendered BY MEANS OF THIS. John uses this phrase 12 times in this Epistle [1 John 2:3, 5; 3:10, 16, 19, 24; 4:2, 9, 10, 13, 17; 5:2]. ² Secondly, the neuter gender indicates that he is underscoring a principle of Bible doctrine—a point of Biblical truth. The demonstrative pronoun points to something significant that is about to be stated. It alerts us to be ready for an important point of doctrine. As we will see, it directs our attention to the EAN clause, "if we keep His commands."

Now we get the main verb. It is the present active indicative first-person plural from GINOSKO [γινώσκομεν - #1097] denoting WE KNOW. The first-person plural is the inclusive use, which means the author and his audience. Ginosko is knowledge gained by experience and instruction. The verb appears first in this passage and then 25 times overall in this Epistle.

Tense

We know is a customary present. What does this tell us? The Apostle John and others have established a lifetime habit of studying the Word of God. Their knowledge was gained in the classroom under the most incredible teacher in the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. They continued to devote themselves to the study of the Word of God.

Voice

In the active voice, the subject produces the action of the verb. This is John's testimony. His persistent and dedicated positive volition to learn and understand the Way, the Truth, and the

Life.

Mood

The indicative mood is a dogmatic statement of fact. John speaks with authority, confidence, and personal experience.

3b] ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν, "that we have come to know Him [Christ]."

This segment is a direct object clause introduced by HOTI [ὅτι - #3754], meaning THAT. Next is the verb, the perfect active indicative first-person plural from GINIOSKO [ἐγνώκαμεν - #1097] translated WE HAVE COME TO KNOW.

Tense: The Tense of the Verb Explained

The consummative perfect views the action beginning in the past and coming to the point of completion. The existing result of this process continues in the present. The “knowing Christ” started for John in the past, and it gradually grew until John reached spiritual maturity. The existing result was his occupation with Christ. Past action; present result. The result is that John has been walking with Christ for about 75 years.

1. The perfect tense does not refer to salvation; that would be the aorist tense.

2. Knowing Christ is a process, a gradual process that comes to the point of completion. The completed result of learning about Him is spiritual maturity.

3. The consummative perfect emphasizes the result that exists, which is perpetuated. At this present moment of writing, John is occupied with the Person of Christ.

This is the same verb but in a different tense. It builds on the previous idea indicating that having a habit of studying the Word of God results in something, “we have come to know Christ.” Their continuous study of the Scripture has advanced them spiritually, or they had reached the high ground of spiritual maturity.

Voice

In the active voice, the disciples/apostle's positive attitude toward the Word advanced to the high ground of spiritual maturity. Their testimony was they know the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the active voice, the subject produces the action of the verb. Here is our positive believer who has come to know Him. He ranks the study of the Word of God as the highest priority and possesses a deep appreciation for it. The picture is a believer positive toward the Word, who is consistently learning about Christ. The active voice means that when you commit yourself to study the Word of God, to be a student of Scripture, this is transformative. We will be more like Him in attitude and conduct.

Mood

The indicative mood is declarative for a fact or a principle of Bible doctrine. You can count on this. God has given us spiritual life at the point of salvation. This new life in Christ is meant for us to learn about Him so that we might obtain the objective and become growingly and increasingly more like Christ.

Also, we complete the clause with the direct object, the accusative singular of the intensive personal pronoun AUTOS [αὐτόν -#846], meaning HIM. This personal pronoun is a reference to Christ (see 1 John 2:6).

The Result Of Our Spiritual Advance

3c] ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν - "if we [inclusive] continue obeying His [Christ] commands."

Now we have a third-class conditional conjunction [ἐὰν - #1437]. This is also an elliptical condition since the apodosis is omitted and must be supplied by the context. The protasis is “If we continue obeying His commands, the elliptical apodosis would be,” then we will continue to grow, to fulfill His will, to fellowship with Him.”

Next is the present active subjunctive of TEREO [τηρῶμεν - # 5083], meaning to guard, to keep watch, or observe. Here it means to observe, to fulfill, and has the connotation of being obedient to the Father's plan. The translation of this clause is “if we continue obeying His [Christ] commands.”

Tense

The present progressive is for an action that continues in a state of persistence.

Voice

In the active voice, the positive believer is motivated to obey. He doesn’t have to be bullied, shamed, or push to obey. The positive believer is inside the circle of fellowship ³, executing God's will, plan, and purpose. Progressive presence indicates a persistent desire on the part of the positive believer to take in the Word of God.

Mood

The Subjunctive mood emphasizes the volitional responsibility of the subject to execute Christ’s commands. The accusative plural of the direct object from ENTOLE [τὰς ἐντολὰς #1785], meaning COMMANDMENTS, ORDERS, COMMANDS. ⁴ Following this is the possessive genitive of AUTOS [αὐτοῦ - #846] connoting HIS COMMANDS.

__________

ENDNOTES

¹ There are two other uses of this prepositional phrase, but they are both in the masculine gender, 1 John 2:4,5. This points to a person, not a principle of doctrine.

² See footnote 4 in Exegesis of 1 John 1:6 for an explanation of the editorial, exclusive, and inclusive uses of the first-person plural.

³ The Circle of Fellowship is a teaching aid to help us understand the Biblical idea of fellowship. It is the spiritual place where the believers and their Lord connect, communes, and fellowships. It draws upon the words of Christ; abide in the vine, remain in me. In the past, we have defined it as, “The true and basic sense of this word, at its very core, means that fellowship is "the sharing of our lives with the Lord."

A very touching use of the verbal form of this word was found in a fourth-century inscription; a doctor of medicine had put up an inscription to his wife who had also studied medicine, and who had died. It read, “as with you alone; I shared my life.” How beautiful it is when a sinner saved by grace comes to the sunset of life and can say to the Lord Jesus, “as with you alone, I have shared my life." Quoted in Topic #9 The Prologue Part 5.

.

⁴ The Commands are in two categories. Here are a few examples:

A. Commands regarding residing inside the circle of fellowship:

-Walk in the Sphere of the Spirit

-Walk in the Light as He is in the Light.

-Abide in my love - John 15:9,10

-Walk-in love - Ephesians 5:2

B. Commands regarding the functioning inside the circle of fellowship:

-Confess your sins - 1 John 1:9

-Be Filled with the Spirit - Ephesians 5:18

-Don’t Quench the Spirit -1 Thessalonians 5:14

-Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 4:30