The New/Old Commandment
Verse 7
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
- What is the new commandment?
- Why does John say that it’s not a new commandment?
- What does he mean by “from the beginning”?
- beginning of the gospel (new covenant) era?
- beginning of the world?
- Why does it matter that it’s not in fact a totally new commandment?
Verse 8
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you,
which is true in him and in you,
because the darkness is passing away
and the true light is already shining.
- What is new about this commandment?
- What does John mean by saying “It is true in him (Jesus) and in you” ?
- What does John mean by saying “The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining”?
- Do you believe this is true today?
- Is the darkness passing away?
- Is the true light already shining?
- Where is it shining?
- What does this “true light” have to do with the new commandment?
