2:5. But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.
2:6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
2:7. Dearly 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.
2:8. Again a new commandment I write unto you: which thing is true both in him and in you, because the darkness is passed and the true light now shineth.
A new commandment.... Viz., the commandment of love, which was first given in the old law; but was renewed and extended by Christ. See John 13.34.
2:9. He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now.
2:10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light: and there is no scandal in him.
2:11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth: because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.
2:12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
2:13. I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.