Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 2:9

"He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now." — 1 John 2:9 (ASV)

This verse brings us to the third false claim that the author denies. Whereas obedience to the new command leads to love among the Christian community, among the opponents who claim to “be in the light” there is hate. This hate for one’s fellow believer shows that the light they follow is nothing but darkness. How does John understand hate? His answer lies primarily in what one does. Hate is the absence of the deeds of love. To walk in the light is to love one’s brother, and God’s love will express itself in concrete actions. If these are missing, it is not because love can be neutral or can exist unexpressed. Love unexpressed is not love at all. When it is absent, hate is present. In this instance, hate is the failure to deny oneself, the unwillingness to lay down one’s life for a brother . One considers one’s own plight first (1 Corinthians 13:5); disregards the robbed and afflicted ; despises the little ones (Matthew 18:10); withholds the cup of cold water from the thirsty (Matthew 25:42); and makes no effort to welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, or help the sick (Matthew 25:43). Whenever a brother has need and one does not help him, then one has, in fact, hated his brother. Does the word “brother” (GK 81) refer here to one’s neighbor or to one who belongs to the community of faith? In this instance it probably refers to a member of the community of faith. It is not that John lacks concern for those outside the faith: rather, in this letter he has the community of believers in view. Moreover, if believers cannot love their fellow believers, it is doubtful that they can truly love their neighbors.