Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 2:11

"But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes." — 1 John 2:11 (ASV)

Now the author picks up the concept of “darkness” from v.9 and gives it a final elaboration and conclusion. One who “hates his brother” is not simply “in the darkness” but is condemned to spend his life in darkness. Though he has eyes, he can see nothing. And the darkness so blinds his eyes that he has no idea “where he is going.” Life is a search, but for him it is without direction. He never knows whether he is closer to or farther from his destination. The only certainty is that he is without hope of reaching it. So hate destroys any window for light from God. To live without loving one’s brother means to deny oneself the presence of God and the reality of fellowship with the community of faith.

The first part of the letter (1:5–2:11) involved untrue assertions made by the author’s Gnostic-type opponents and provided “tests” for exposing the false claims as well as for assuring those who walked in the light. The next section is in two parts. The first (2:12–14) contrasts the position of believers who walk in the light with that of the Gnostics who walk in darkness. The second part (2:15– 17) warns believers not to fall into the trap of worldliness, as the false teachers did.

The first section is rhythmical, almost lyrical. Two sets of three statements introduced by the words “I write” and “I have written,” or “I wrote” (NIV does not bring out this distinction), are addressed in turn to “children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” We do not know why the author changes tenses, nor do we know the significance of the various forms of address. Possibly John intends to address his entire congregation from two standpoints—that of chronological age (“children,” “young men,” “fathers”) and that of spiritual age (novices in the faith, those whose faith is vigorous and who are responsible for the work of the Gospel, and those whose knowledge and experience in the faith are the foundation on which the community exists).