And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he stays in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.
he that.
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
John 14:21-23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…
John 15:7-10 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you…
dwelleth.
1 John 4:7,12,15,16 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God…
John 6:54-56 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day…
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
we.
1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
Romans 8:9-17 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his…
Galatians 4:5,6 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons…
remains in God, and God in him.
The idea of mutual abiding is central to Johannine theology. It reflects the intimate relationship between the believer and God, akin to the vine and branches metaphor in John 15:4-5. This mutual indwelling signifies a deep spiritual union, where the believer's life is sustained by God's presence. The concept of God dwelling with His people is also seen in the Old Testament, such as in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 25:8, 1 Kings 8:27).
And by this we know that He remains in us:
This assurance of God's presence is a recurring theme in John's writings. The phrase underscores the certainty believers can have regarding their relationship with God. It aligns with the purpose of John's epistle, which is to provide assurance of eternal life to believers (1 John 5:13). The knowledge of God's indwelling is not based on feelings but on the evidence of a transformed life and obedience to His commandments.
by the Spirit He has given us.
The Holy Spirit is the means by which believers experience God's presence and assurance. The Spirit's role as a witness and guide is highlighted in John 14:16-17, where Jesus promises the Spirit of truth to His followers. The giving of the Spirit fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as Joel 2:28-29, where God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people. The Spirit's presence is a mark of the new covenant and a guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
- John’s wording is straightforward: obedience to God’s revealed will is the unmistakable mark of genuine faith.
- Jesus said the same: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
- Obedience is not a way to earn salvation; rather, it is evidence that salvation has taken root (1 John 2:3-5; James 2:18).
- The commands in view include loving God and loving others (1 John 3:23). When those commands shape daily choices, believers show the family resemblance of those born of God.
- “Remain” (or “abide”) describes a living, continual union, not an occasional visit (John 15:4-5).
- This reciprocal indwelling means:
• Our lives are anchored in His life (Galatians 2:20).
• His life overflows through ours, empowering holiness and love (1 John 4:12-16).
- Because God literally takes up residence in the believer, obedience flows from the inside out, not merely from external rule-keeping.
- John is passionate about assurance (1 John 5:13). He doesn’t leave believers guessing.
- “By this” points back to obedient living and forward to the Spirit’s witness. Both work together to give confident knowledge, not vague hope (2 Corinthians 13:5).
- The verb “know” is experiential; John is describing settled certainty, not mere intellectual agreement.
- The focus shifts from our abiding in Him to His abiding in us—God takes the initiative and sustains the relationship (John 17:23).
- Awareness of His presence becomes tangible in day-to-day life:
• Conviction of sin (John 16:8)
• Comfort in trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
• Growing Christlike character (Galatians 5:22-23)
- The Holy Spirit is the God-given guarantee that this mutual indwelling is real (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:16).
- Practical ways the Spirit confirms our standing:
• Illuminating Scripture so it pierces the heart (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
• Empowering victory over sin (Romans 8:13)
• Stirring love for fellow believers (1 John 4:7)
- Because the Spirit is “given,” assurance rests on God’s promise, not on fluctuating feelings.
Keeping God’s commandments displays a life rooted in Him; such obedience proves that a believer truly abides in God and God in the believer. This mutual indwelling is made certain by the Holy Spirit, the divine gift who testifies within us, empowers obedience, and seals our assurance.
Verse 24. - We are again in doubt as to whether αὐτοῦ and αὐτός refer to God the Father or to Christ. The former seems better on account of verse 22; but the latter may be right (John 14:15; John 15:5). Compare the conclusion of the first main division (1 John 2:24-28). In this (or, hereby) probably refers to what follows; the ἐν does not disprove this, in spite of the ἐκ which follows. St. John has combined two constructions: "In this we know... in that" ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν... ὅτι, as in verse 16; and "From this we know... from" ἐκ τούτου γινώσκομεν... ἐκ τοῦ; comp. 1 John 4:6. From the Spirit which he gave us. "He" is probably the Father (John 14:16, 17), and the aorist ἔδωκεν refers to the special occasion of Pentecost. Hitherto St. John has mentioned only the Father and the Son; now the Spirit also (alluded to in 1 John 2:20, 27) is introduced by name as a witness and test of the truth. The sentence forms the transition to the subject of the next section (1 John 4:1-6), which is a sort of digression, the subject of love being mentioned in verse 7. This verse is said to have been a favourite with Spinoza.