1 John 2:3-6: Abiding in Christ, Obeying His Word

Obedience to God’s Commands (1 John 2:3–6): Meaning and Reflection

Obedience is not merely about following a set of rules, but it’s a reflection of a deeper, personal connection with God that shapes the believer’s life. 1 John 2:3-6 challenges us to examine our own lives and consider whether our actions align with our profession of faith.

In the post, I break down each verse, explore its theological significance, and reflect on its relevance both in the early Christian community and for our lives today. I will also draw some connections with the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of John, where the relationship between love, obedience, and fellowship with God are central.

Verse by Verse Breakdown of 1 John 2:3–6 and Commentary

1 John 2:3: “Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments.”

John begins this section with a bold statement: that obedience to God’s commands is the litmus test for knowing God. This verse links the knowledge of God to the practice of obedience. To “know” God in the biblical sense goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment; it’s an intimate, relational knowledge that is demonstrated through action. The phrase “we may be sure” indicates a sense of assurance—when believers obey God’s commands, they confirm their relationship with God. 

The concept of knowing God is not new to John’s writing. In his Gospel, John emphasizes this connection between obedience and true knowledge of God. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” This mirrors John’s assertion in his epistle that obedience is the proof of genuine knowledge. For John, obedience is not just about conforming to external rules but is deeply connected to the internal transformation that comes through knowing God personally. This is the outcome of abiding with Christ.

Raymond E. Brown in The Epistles of John points out that the knowledge John speaks of here is not only a theological understanding but a lived reality—a relationship that naturally leads to obedience. John stresses that the commands are not burdensome but are, in fact, life-giving, as they align the believer with God’s will and bring spiritual fruit (Brown, 1982, p. 74).

I. Howard Marshall, in The Epistles of John, reinforces this idea by noting that obedience is the natural outgrowth of a genuine relationship with God. If someone claims to know God but does not obey His commandments, their knowledge is superficial and not truly transformative (Marshall, 1978, p. 128).

1 John 2:4: “Whoever says, ‘I have come to know him,’ but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist.”

John’s words here are strong—those who claim to know God but do not obey God's commands are “liars.” This is a striking assertion that underscores the seriousness with which John views the connection between knowledge of God and obedience. John’s use of the word “liar” is intentional; it exposes the contradiction between professing to know God and living in disobedience to God's right commands.

The Apostle John’s language echoes Jesus’ own words in the Gospel of John. In John 15:14, Jesus states, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Here, Jesus connects friendship with God to obedience, just as John does in his letter. Both writings suggest that disobedience is not merely a moral failing but a denial of the relationship that believers claim to have with God. The expectation is that the gospel changes you from the inside out.

Stephen S. Smalley, in 1, 2, and 3 John, explains that John’s harsh words in this verse are a call to integrity within the Christian community. A claim to know God must be reflected in how one lives. Knowledge of God cannot be compartmentalized from obedience to God's will. The consistency between what is professed and how one lives is a hallmark of the truth that resides in a believer (Smalley, 2007, p. 105). 

1 John 2:5: “But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him.”

Perfection?! I though we all sinned and no one was perfect. And, would any of us boast that God's love has reached perfection in us? I wouldn't. What's going on?

The phrase "the love of God has reached perfection" indicates that God's love has achieved its intended purpose in the life of someone who obeys God. The goal of God's love is that we bear good, virtuous fruit in how we live. When we obey we are fulfilling or experiencing the intended end of God's love for us.

This idea is also reflected in the Gospel of John, where Jesus teaches that the love of God is perfected in those who abide in him. In John 15:10-11, Jesus says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love… I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” Obedience to God’s commandments results in the perfecting of love and joy, both of which are central to the believer’s experience of God.

Karen H. Jobes in 1, 2, and 3 John observes that John presents obedience as a dynamic process by which the believer’s relationship with God matures and becomes more perfect over time. Obedience is not just a momentary action but a continual process in which the believer’s love for God grows deeper and more genuine (Jobes, 2014, p. 146). 

1 John 2:6: “Whoever says, ‘I abide in him,’ ought to walk just as he walked.”

Finally, John closes this section with a powerful call to emulate Christ. If a believer claims to “abide in Christ,” that claim must be evidenced by walking in the same manner that Christ walked. The Greek word for “abide” (menō) is rich with meaning and signifies a deep, intimate relationship. To abide in Christ is to live in him, to share in his life and mission.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks frequently about abiding in him, especially in John 15, where He declares, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit” (John 15:5). Here, the connection between abiding in Christ and living out His commands is clear. Abiding is not a passive state but an active, ongoing relationship that involves living in a way that reflects Christ’s character.

Raymond E. Brown comments that John’s injunction to walk as Jesus walked is a call to follow the ethical example of Jesus in everyday life. Christ’s life serves as the pattern for the Christian, and obedience to God’s commandments is part of walking in his footsteps (Brown, 1982, p. 76). 

Obedience to God’s Commands (1 John 2:3–6): Meaning for Today

The passage in 1 John 2:3-6 offers profound insight into the relationship between obedience, love, and the knowledge of God. These verses challenge us to examine whether our claims to know Christ are backed up by how we live. Obedience is not merely a matter of rule-following; it is a reflection of our love for God and an evidence of our genuine relationship with hiim. As James pointed out, faith without works is dead. John is approaching it in a different way.

For modern believers, this passage offers a call to integrity. Our profession of faith must be consistent with our actions. We cannot separate our knowledge of God from our obedience to God's commands. As we live out our faith, we demonstrate that God’s love is being perfected in us, and we are called to walk as Jesus walked—living lives marked by love, humility, and obedience.

John’s letter encourages us to reflect on the quality of our relationship with God. Are we walking in the light of His commands, abiding in Christ, and allowing His love to shape our lives?