1 John 2:8

Again. This verse provides an explanation of the preceding verse.

New commandment. The “old” commandment was sufficient, had man but heeded its counsel. But men so obscured the true purpose of the law that they altogether lost sight of its spiritual quality. In His teachings, most particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, Christ removed the accretions of the ages and revealed the original luster of “the ... commandment” (see on Matt. 5:22). So bright and meaningful did the instruction appear that it could appropriately be described by John as a “new” commandment (see on John 13:34).

Which thing. That is, the “new commandment.”

In him and in you. The repetition of the preposition suggests that there is a difference between the way this statement is true in Christ and in the believer. In Christ, the commandment needed no renewal; for it was an expression of His character. In us, the commandment must be put to work to transform our characters, in order that they may be “true.” This is accomplished when we love one another as Christ has loved us.

Darkness. See on John 1:5.

Is past. Gr. parago, “to go by,” “to go away,” in the form here used, “is passing away.” In v. 17 parago describes the transitory nature of the sinful world. The present tense — “is passing away,” “is shining” — shows that John realized that the darkness would not be immediately dispelled. The conquest of darkness by the “true light” would be gradual, but certain. This darkness is the ignorance, voluntary or otherwise, that prevents men from seeing the true nature of God’s Word.

The true light. That is, the revelation of God through Jesus Christ (see on John 1:4-9).

Now shineth. Literally, “already is shining.” Since the incarnation true light had been shining on the sin-darkened world and men had less excuse than before for dwelling in darkness. The coming of Jesus placed a new responsibility, as well as a new blessing, upon men.