I John 2:10
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Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Abiding in love is abiding in the light; for the Gospel light not only illumines the understanding, but warms the heart into love. none occasion of stumbling--In contrast to, "He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." "In him who loves there is neither blindness nor occasion of stumbling [to himself]: in him who does not love, there is both blindness and occasion of stumbling. He who hates his brother, is both a stumbling-block to himself, and stumbles against himself and everything within and without; he who loves has an unimpeded path" [BENGEL]. John has in mind Jesus' words, Joh 11:9-10. ALFORD well says, "The light and the darkness are within ourselves; admitted into us by the eye, whose singleness fills the whole body with light."
Open source ↗Here the apostle encourages against sins of infirmity (Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2), shows the true knowledge and love of God (Jo1 2:3-6), renews the precept of fraternal love (Jo1 2:7-11), addresses the several ages of Christians (Jo1 2:12-14), warns against worldly love (Jo1 2:15-17), against seducers (Jo1 2:18, Jo1 2:19), shows the security of true Christians (Jo1 2:20-27), and advises to abide in Christ (Jo1 2:28, Jo1 2:29).
Open source ↗2:10 To cause others to stumble can also mean to ensnare or entrap them. The Greek word skandalon means a trap or a block in someone’s path. The Gnostics, who taught falsehood about Christ, were hindering people by ensnaring them in error and darkness. • living in the light: A godly life will help, not hinder, the faith of other Christians.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,