The Meaning of 1 John 2:29 Explained

1 John 2:29

KJV: If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

YLT: if ye know that he is righteous, know ye that every one doing the righteousness, of him hath been begotten.

Darby: If ye know that he is righteous, know that every one who practises righteousness is begotten of him.

ASV: If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

If  ye know  that  he is  righteous,  ye know  that  every one  that doeth  righteousness  is born  of  him. 

What does 1 John 2:29 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Because God is righteous, every abiding child of God will demonstrate righteous behavior. Righteous action is a mark of the Father that God reproduces in every abiding Christian just as surely as every child does some things like the physical parent he or she seeks to imitate. We intellectually know that God is righteous from Scripture. However we experientially come to know that certain people are abiding Christians by the righteous works they do. The facts that some unrighteous people behave righteously and some righteous people behave wickedly do not vitiate this point.
"We must not make this verse say more than it does. John certainly does not say, "Whoever does not do righteousness is not born of Him." That would be an inference in no way justified by John"s statement. He is not talking here about how we can decide if a person is saved. If we know that a person believes (cf. 1 John 5:1 ...), we can know he is saved. But here, John is clearly concerned with the deduction which we can make if we know that God is righteous. If that is known, it follows that one who to any extent reproduces His righteous nature is actually manifesting that nature and can rightly be perceived as born of Him." [1]
John began a new line of thought to develop the theme of preparing to meet the Lord unashamed, indicated in the Greek text by the absence of a connective (asyndeton). The theme of this section is "manifestation," which begins it, in 1 John 2:28, and ends it, in 1 John 3:10 a (an inclusio).

Context Summary

1 John 2:18-29 - Loyalty To Truth
The Holy One is surely the risen Savior, who has passed into the heavens, whence He bestows the Holy Spirit as a sacred chrism on meek and trustful souls. We can say with the psalmist, "Thou anointest my head with oil." Let us seek fresh anointing. "I shall be anointed with fresh oil," Psalms 92:10. Whenever we attempt to do God's work, we should be able to say, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and He hath anointed me." The anointed soul understands things hidden from the wise and prudent, 1 John 2:27.
We must hold the Word of Christ by perpetual reiteration and meditation; only so shall we be able to abide in Him. This abiding life involves not merely that we shall work for God, but that God will work through us. The abiding branch bears much fruit, because the energy of the vine is set free to work its will through its yielded channels. A life of abiding communion with Christ will never be ashamed in this or in any other world. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 John 2

1  He comforts them against the sins of infirmity
3  Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments;
9  to love our brothers;
15  and not to love the world
18  We must beware of antichrists;
20  from whose deceits the godly are safe, preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life

Greek Commentary for 1 John 2:29

If ye know [εαν ειδητε]
Third-class condition again with εαν — ean and second perfect active subjunctive of οιδα — oida If ye know by intuitive or absolute knowledge that Christ (because of 1 John 2:28) is righteous, then “ye know” or “know ye” (γινωσκετε — ginōskete either indicative or imperative) by experimental knowledge (so γινωσκω — ginōskō means in contrast with οιδα — oida). [source]
Is begotten [γεγεννηται]
Perfect passive indicative of γενναω — gennaō stands begotten, the second birth (regeneration) of John 3:3-8.Of him (εχ αυτου — ex autou). Plainly “of God” in 1 John 2:9 and so apparently here in spite of δικαιος — dikaios referring to Christ. Doing righteousness is proof of the new birth. [source]
Of him [εχ αυτου]
Plainly “of God” in 1 John 2:9 and so apparently here in spite of δικαιος — dikaios referring to Christ. Doing righteousness is proof of the new birth. [source]
If ye know - ye know [ἐὰν εἰδῆτε - γινώσκετε]
If ye know absolutely that He is righteous, ye perceive that every one, etc. See on John 2:24. Ye perceive may be taken as imperative: perceive or know ye. [source]
Is born of Him [ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται]
The interpreters differ as to the reference of Him; some referring it to God, and others to Christ. Against the latter is the fact that men are not said to be born of Christ, but of God; and that to be born of God is a characteristic phrase of John, while to be born of Christ is a phrase which occurs nowhere. On the other hand, the undoubted reference to Christ in 1 John 2:28, would seem to demand a similar reference here. Men are said to abide in Christ as well as in God, and to be born of the Spirit. Westcott's remark is pertinent. “When John thinks of God in relation to men, he never thinks of Him apart from Christ (see 1 John 5:20); and again, he never thinks of Christ in His human nature without adding the thought of His divine nature. Thus a rapid transition is possible from the one aspect of the Lord's divine-human person to the other.” [source]
Is born of Him [ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται]
Rev., begotten. The first occurrence of the phrase in the Epistle. [source]
Righteous [δίκαιος]
Used by John both of God and of Christ. Of God, 1 John 1:9; John 17:25; Revelation 16:5; of Christ, 1 John 2:1; 1 John 3:7. Compare Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52; Acts 22:14. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 2:29

John 8:34 Sin [τὴν ἁμαρτίαν]
The definite article, the sin, shows that Jesus does not mean merely a simple act, but a life of sin. Compare 1 John 3:4-8, and doeth the truth (John 3:21); doeth the righteousness (1 John 2:29). [source]
1 John 5:19 We are of God [ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐσμέν]
For the phrase εἷναι ἐκ tobe from, see on John 1:46. For ἐσμέν weare, see on 1 John 3:1. John expresses the relation of believers to God by the following phrases: To be born or begotten of God, γεννηθῆναι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ (1 John 5:1; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 4:7): denoting the initial communication of the new life. To be of God, εἷναι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ (John 8:47; 1 John 3:10; 1 John 4:6): denoting the essential connection in virtue of the new life. Child of God, τέκνον Θεοῦ (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:10): denoting the relation established by the new life. [source]
1 John 3:7 Doeth righteousness []
See on 1 John 3:4, and compare 1 John 2:29. Note the article τὴν , the righteousness, in its completeness and unity. Not merely doing righteous acts. “In his relation to other men he will do what is just; and in his relation to the gods he will do what is holy; and he who does what is just and holy cannot be other than just and holy” (Plato, “Gorgias,” 507). [source]
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin [πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν]
Rev., better, every one that doeth sin. See on 1 John 3:3, every man that hath, and note the frequent repetition of this form of expression in the present chapter. Compare πᾶς ὁ ἁμαρτάνων whosoeversinneth (1 John 3:6). The phrase to do sin regards sin as something actually realized in its completeness. He that does sin realizes in action the sin (note the article τὴν ) that which includes and represents the complete ideal of sin. Compare do righteousness, 1 John 2:29. [source]
1 John 3:1 Hath bestowed [δεδωκεν]
Perfect active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi state of completion, “the endowment of the receiver” (Vincent).That we should be called (ινα κλητωμεν — hina klēthōmen). Sub-final use of ινα — hina with the first aorist passive subjunctive of καλεω — kaleō to call or name, as in Matthew 2:23.Children As in John 1:12 and with an allusion to γεγεννηται — gegennētai in 1 John 2:29 in an effort “to restore the waning enthusiasm of his readers, and to recall them to their first love” (Brooke).And such we are (και εσμεν — kai esmen). “And we are.” A parenthetical reflection characteristic of John (και νυν εστιν — kai nun estin in John 5:25 and και ουκ εισιν — kai ouk eisin in Revelation 2:2; Revelation 3:9) omitted by Textus Receptus, though, in the old MSS.Because it knew him not Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō precisely the argument in John 15:18. [source]
1 John 3:1 Children [τεκνα]
As in John 1:12 and with an allusion to γεγεννηται — gegennētai in 1 John 2:29 in an effort “to restore the waning enthusiasm of his readers, and to recall them to their first love” (Brooke).And such we are (και εσμεν — kai esmen). “And we are.” A parenthetical reflection characteristic of John (και νυν εστιν — kai nun estin in John 5:25 and και ουκ εισιν — kai ouk eisin in Revelation 2:2; Revelation 3:9) omitted by Textus Receptus, though, in the old MSS.Because it knew him not Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō precisely the argument in John 15:18. [source]
1 John 3:4 Sin is lawlessness [η αμαρτια εστιν η ανομια]
The article with both subject and predicate makes them coextensive and so interchangeable. Doing sin is the converse of doing righteousness (1 John 2:29). The present active participle (ποιων — poiōn) means the habit of doing sin. [source]
1 John 4:7 Of God [εκ του τεου]
Even human love comes from God, “a reflection of something in the Divine nature itself” (Brooke). John repeats the old commandment of 1 John 2:7. Persistence in loving (present tense αγαπωμεν — agapōmen indicative and αγαπων — agapōn participle) is proof that one “has been begotten of God” (εκ του τεου γεγεννηται — ek tou theou gegennētai as in 1 John 2:29) and is acquainted with God. Otherwise mere claim to loving God accompanied by hating one‘s brother is a lie (1 John 2:9-11). [source]
1 John 5:1 That Jesus is the Christ [οτι Ιησους εστιν ο Χριστος]
The Cerinthian antichrist denies the identity of Jesus and Christ (1 John 2:22). Hence John insists on this form of faith Nothing less will satisfy John, not merely intellectual conviction, but full surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. “The Divine Begetting is the antecedent, not the consequent of the believing” (Law). For “is begotten of God” (εκ του τεου γεγεννηται — ek tou theou gegennētai) see 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:18. John appeals here to family relationship and family love. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 John 2:29 mean?

If you know that righteous He is you know also everyone - practicing - righteousness of Him has been begotten
Ἐὰν εἰδῆτε ὅτι δίκαιός ἐστιν γινώσκετε καὶ πᾶς ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται

εἰδῆτε  you  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
δίκαιός  righteous 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δίκαιος  
Sense: righteous, observing divine laws.
ἐστιν  He  is 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
γινώσκετε  you  know 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: γινώσκω  
Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
πᾶς  everyone 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ποιῶν  practicing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δικαιοσύνην  righteousness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δικαιοσύνη  
Sense: in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God.
γεγέννηται  has  been  begotten 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γεννάω  
Sense: of men who fathered children.