< < 1 John 2:7 >>

New International Version (©1984)
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment–to love one another–is the same message you heard before.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Brethren, 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.

International Standard Version (©2008)
Dear friends, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning. This old commandment is the word you have heard.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Beloved ones, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an ancient commandment which you had from the beginning; but the ancient commandment is that word which you have heard.

GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Dear friends, it’s not as though I’m writing to give you a new commandment. Rather, I’m giving you an old commandment that you’ve had from the beginning. It’s the old commandment you’ve already heard.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.

American King James Version
Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.

American Standard Version
Beloved, 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.

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Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible

Brethren, I write no new commandment – There seems a contradiction between this and the next verse. But the apostle appears to speak, not so much of any difference in the essence of the precept itself, as in reference to the degrees of light and grace belonging to the Mosaic and Christian dispensations. It was ever the command of God that men should receive his light, walk by that light, and love him and one another. But this commandment was renewed by Christ with much latitude and spirituality of meaning; and also with much additional light to see its extent, and grace to observe it. It may therefore be called the Old commandment, which was from the beginning; and also a New commandment revealed afresh and illustrated by Christ, with the important addition to the meaning of Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye shall love the brethren so as to lay down your lives for each other. See the note on John 13:34.

Instead of αδελφοι, brethren, ABC, thirteen others, with both the Syriac, Erpen’s Arabic, Coptic, Sahidic, Armenian, Slavonic, and Vulgate, with several of the fathers, have αγαπητοι, beloved. This is without doubt the true reading.

Wesley’s Notes

2:7 When I speak of keeping his word, I write not a new commandment – I do not speak of any new one. But the old commandment, which ye had – Even from your forefathers.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

2:3-11 What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his commandments. God’s grace in him attains its true mark, and produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world, and this is man’s regeneration; though never absolutely perfect here. Yet this observing Christ’s commands, has holiness and excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force from the beginning of the world; but it might be called a new command as given to Christians. It was new in them, as their situation was new in respect of its motives, rules, and obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to value our brother’s soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind, the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us what we are, and whither we are going.

On this day...

• Exodus 6 - 2023
• Genesis 6 - 2023
• December 30: The Lord Our Bulwark - 2011
• The KINGDOM Bible Reading Plan - 2011
• Courage Is Not Winning. It's Sacrifice. - 2011
• Our ability to sacrifice - 2011
• A Puritan prayer - 2011
• The world is fallen and there are other things to do - 2011
• Believe With Confidence - 2011
• People people on our prayer list - 2011