1 John 2:3 – “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.”
Extended Explanation
This verse is simple but powerful. John is saying that if we truly know God — if we really belong to Him — it will show in how we live. Specifically, it will show in whether we obey His commands.
This isn’t about earning God’s love or proving ourselves by following a list of rules. Instead, John is talking about evidence. When someone knows God personally, their life begins to change. Their actions start to line up with God’s ways. Obedience is not the cause of knowing God; it’s the result.
John is writing this because some people in his day were claiming to know God while living however they wanted. He is reminding his readers that real faith shows itself in real life. If we say we know God but ignore His commands, we’re fooling ourselves.
Historical Context
John wrote this letter near the end of the first century, during a time when false teachers were leading people astray. Some of these teachers said it didn’t matter how you lived as long as you had “special knowledge” of God. Others claimed to follow God but rejected His commands.
John was clearing up the confusion. He wanted believers to understand that knowing God isn’t about having secret knowledge or just saying the right words — it’s about living in obedience to Him out of love and gratitude.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches an important truth: Knowing God is not just head knowledge. It’s a relationship that changes the way you live.
It also tells us that obedience matters. God’s grace doesn’t give us permission to live in rebellion. Instead, grace invites us into a life where we want to obey because we love Him.
This verse connects to the idea of spiritual fruit — that a true relationship with God will produce visible results in how a person lives (see Matthew 7:16-20).
Literary Analysis
John uses the phrase “we know that we have come to know him.” This is repetitive on purpose. He is underlining the difference between claiming something and actually experiencing it.
The word “if” is important. It signals a test, a marker: If we keep His commands, then we can be confident that we know Him. John isn’t saying we’ll be perfect, but he is pointing to the direction of a person’s life.
The verb “keep” implies more than just obeying once in a while. It speaks of an ongoing pattern, a lifestyle of caring about and following God’s ways.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”
- Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
- James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
- 1 John 5:3 – “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a helpful reminder that our faith isn’t just something we believe privately. It should show up in how we live — in our choices, priorities, and attitudes.
It also invites us to examine ourselves. Do our lives show that we truly know God? Are we seeking to obey His commands, not out of duty, but because we love Him?
This verse can also be reassuring. If you sometimes wonder whether you really know God, you can look at the pattern of your life. If you care about His ways, if you’re striving to obey Him, that’s evidence of His work in you.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God doesn’t demand obedience because He wants to control us. He wants us to obey because it leads to life, peace, and freedom. His commands are not burdensome; they are for our good.
This verse shows that God loves us enough to give us clear guidance. He doesn’t leave us guessing about how to live. And He’s not watching from a distance, hoping we fail — He walks with us and helps us obey.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus Himself said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). John is echoing that here.
Jesus’ life is the perfect picture of obedience to the Father (John 8:29). He not only obeyed perfectly but also made a way for us to be forgiven when we fail.
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we don’t obey to earn God’s love — we obey because we have already received it. He changes our hearts so that we want to follow Him.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse challenge the way you think about knowing God?
- In what areas of your life is God calling you to greater obedience?
- What motivates you more — duty or love — when it comes to following God’s commands?
- How can you encourage others who say they know God but don’t show it in how they live?
- What steps can you take this week to better align your life with God’s ways?