1-john 2:5
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But whoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
American King James Version (AKJV)
But whoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But in every man who keeps his word, the love of God is made complete. By this we may be certain that we are in him:
Webster's Revision
But whoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him.
World English Bible
But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
English Revised Version (ERV)
but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby know we that we are in him:
Definitions for 1-john 2:5
Clarke's 1-john 2:5 Bible Commentary
But whoso keepeth his word - Conscientiously observes his doctrine, the spirit and letter of the religion of Christ.
Is the love of God perfected - The design of God's love in sending Jesus Christ into the world to die for the sin of man τετελειωται, is accomplished, in that man who receives the doctrine, and applies for the salvation provided for him. This seems to be the meaning of the apostle.
That we are in him - That we have entered into his spirit and views, received his salvation, have been enabled to walk in the light, and have communion with him by the Holy Spirit.
Barnes's 1-john 2:5 Bible Commentary
But whoso keepeth his word - That is, what he has spoken or commanded, The term "word" here will include all that he has made known to us as his will in regard to our conduct.
In him verily is the love of God perfected - He professes to have the love of God in his heart, and that love receives its completion or filling up by obedience to the will of God. That obedience is the proper carrying out, or the exponent of the love which exists in the heart. Love to the Saviour would be defective without that, for it is never complete without obedience. If this be the true interpretation, then the passage does not make any affirmation about sinless perfection, but it only affirms that if true love exists in the heart, it will be carried out in the life; or that love and obedience are parts of the same thing; that one will be manifested by the other; and that where obedience exists, it is the completion or perfecting of love. Besides, the apostle does not say that either the love or the obedience would be in themselves absolutely perfect; but he says that one cannot fully develop itself without the other.
Hereby know we that we are in him - That is, by having in fact such love as shall insure obedience. To be in him, is to be united to him; to be his friends. Compare the John 6:56 note; Romans 13:14 note.
Wesley's 1-john 2:5 Bible Commentary
2:5 But whoso keepeth his word - His commandments. Verily in him the love of God - Reconciled to us through Christ. Is perfected - Is perfectly known. Hereby - By our keeping his word.We know that we are in him - So is the tree known by its fruits.To "know him," to be "in him," to "abide in him," are nearly synonymous terms; only with a gradation, - knowledge, communion, constancy.