1 John 2:29
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The connection between regeneration and righteous living runs throughout Scripture. Ezekiel prophesied new covenant transformation: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you...and cause you to walk in my statutes" (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Jesus taught: "by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20)—genuine faith produces good fruit. Paul declared believers are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
This verse addresses the Gnostic separation of spirituality from ethics. Gnostics claimed spiritual rebirth through enlightenment while moral conduct was irrelevant. John refutes this: genuine rebirth produces changed life. Those truly born of the righteous God will practice righteousness—not perfectly but characteristically. The trajectory is holiness, not sin; when believers sin, they confess and return to righteousness (1:9, 2:1) rather than persist comfortably in sin.
The Reformation distinguished between justification (legal declaration of righteousness based on Christ's imputed righteousness) and sanctification (progressive transformation producing actual righteousness). Both are essential; neither is optional. Calvin taught that justification and sanctification are inseparable though distinguishable—received together in union with Christ. Those justified will be sanctified; those claiming justification while showing no sanctification reveal false profession. John's test remains: those born of God do righteousness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your habitual practice reveal whether you've been born of God—what fruit evidences regeneration in your life?
- What's the difference between perfectionism (claiming sinlessness) and practicing righteousness (habitual holiness despite occasional sin)?
- How should this test shape church membership—what role should visible fruit of righteousness play in recognizing genuine believers?
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Analysis & Commentary
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. John concludes the chapter with a test linking righteousness and regeneration. "If ye know that he is righteous" (ean eidēte hoti dikaios estin)—this conditional assumes believers do know Christ's righteousness. "Righteous" (dikaios) describes Christ's perfect conformity to God's holiness and law (cf. 2:1, "Jesus Christ the righteous"). This is foundational Christian knowledge—Christ is perfectly righteous in character and conduct.
"Ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (ginōskete hoti pas ho poiōn tēn dikaiosynēn ex autou gegennētai)—the verb "know" shifts from eidēte (intellectual awareness) to ginōskete (experiential, practical knowledge). "Every one that doeth righteousness" (pas ho poiōn tēn dikaiosynēn)—the present participle "doeth" indicates habitual practice, lifestyle orientation. Dikaiosynē (righteousness) means conformity to God's standards, holy living, moral uprightness.
"Is born of him" (ex autou gegennētai)—the perfect passive "is born" (gegennētai) indicates completed action with continuing state. Those habitually practicing righteousness have been born of God and remain in that regenerate state. This doesn't mean righteousness causes regeneration (that reverses cause and effect) but that regeneration necessarily produces righteousness. Children resemble their Father; those born of the righteous One demonstrate family likeness by doing righteousness. This test exposes false profession: claiming rebirth while living unrighteously contradicts spiritual reality.