1 John 3:24

Authorized King James Version

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And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τηρῶν he that keepeth G5083
τηρῶν he that keepeth
Strong's: G5083
Word #: 3 of 27
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολὰς commandments G1785
ἐντολὰς commandments
Strong's: G1785
Word #: 5 of 27
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
αὐτῷ· he G846
αὐτῷ· he
Strong's: G846
Word #: 6 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐν hereby G1722
ἐν hereby
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 7 of 27
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
αὐτῷ· he G846
αὐτῷ· he
Strong's: G846
Word #: 8 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μένει dwelleth G3306
μένει dwelleth
Strong's: G3306
Word #: 9 of 27
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 10 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ· he G846
αὐτῷ· he
Strong's: G846
Word #: 11 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐν hereby G1722
ἐν hereby
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 12 of 27
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
αὐτῷ· he G846
αὐτῷ· he
Strong's: G846
Word #: 13 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 14 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐν hereby G1722
ἐν hereby
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 15 of 27
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τούτῳ G5129
τούτῳ
Strong's: G5129
Word #: 16 of 27
to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)
γινώσκομεν we know G1097
γινώσκομεν we know
Strong's: G1097
Word #: 17 of 27
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 18 of 27
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μένει dwelleth G3306
μένει dwelleth
Strong's: G3306
Word #: 19 of 27
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἐν hereby G1722
ἐν hereby
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 20 of 27
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἡμῖν us G2254
ἡμῖν us
Strong's: G2254
Word #: 21 of 27
to (or for, with, by) us
ἐκ by G1537
ἐκ by
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 22 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 23 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος the Spirit G4151
πνεύματος the Spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 24 of 27
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
οὗ which G3739
οὗ which
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 25 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡμῖν us G2254
ἡμῖν us
Strong's: G2254
Word #: 26 of 27
to (or for, with, by) us
ἔδωκεν he hath given G1325
ἔδωκεν he hath given
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 27 of 27
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

Analysis & Commentary

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. John concludes the chapter with the doctrine of mutual indwelling. "He that keepeth his commandments" (ho tērōn tas entolas autou)—habitual obedience, especially to the commandments of verse 23: faith and love. "Dwelleth in him, and he in him" (en autō menei kai autos en autō)—mutual abiding: the believer abides in God, and God abides in the believer. This recalls Jesus's teaching on abiding in the vine (John 15:4-10).

This mutual indwelling is Christianity's heart—intimate, permanent union between God and believer. It's not mystical absorption where individual identity disappears, nor mere external relationship, but real spiritual union where God dwells within believers by His Spirit, and believers dwell in God through faith. Obedience evidences and maintains this abiding relationship (not earning it but demonstrating its reality).

"And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us" (kai en toutō ginōskomen hoti menei en hēmin ek tou pneumatos hou hēmin edōken). The Holy Spirit is the evidence of God's indwelling. His presence, work, and fruit in our lives demonstrate that God abides in us. The Spirit produces the love and obedience described throughout the chapter. This introduces the theme of testing spirits in chapter 4—not all supernatural experience is from God; we must discern true spiritual work from counterfeits.

Historical Context

The concept of God dwelling with His people permeates Scripture—the tabernacle, temple, Immanuel ("God with us"), and Jesus's incarnation. But the New Testament revelation that God dwells within individual believers by the Holy Spirit was stunning. The temple was no longer a building but believers' bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19) and corporately the church (Ephesians 2:21-22).

This teaching was vital against Gnosticism, which denied God's presence in material reality. John affirms God truly dwells in believers—not an abstract idea but actual divine presence. The Spirit's giving (perfect tense, completed with continuing results) occurred at Pentecost and continues in each believer's conversion, sealing them (Ephesians 1:13) and abiding permanently (John 14:16).

Questions for Reflection