And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s easy to think of "knowing God" as just an intellectual understanding, but John connects it directly to action. The real evidence isn't just what you believe in your head, but whether you're living out what God has commanded in your daily life. This shows that true intimacy with God is marked by obedience.
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
John is writing to assure believers of their true relationship with God, contrasting genuine faith with deceptive claims. He's just explained that a true encounter with God results in living a different kind of life, so here he offers a concrete way to test that reality: obedience to Jesus' commands is the evidence of knowing Him. This leads directly into his explanation that keeping God's commands isn't about earning salvation, but about walking in love and truth, and not living in the darkness of deception.
How can we be sure we really know God? It’s not just about what we believe, but how we live. This verse gives us a powerful test.
John is clear: genuine knowledge of God isn't merely intellectual assent. It's transformative. Our obedience to His commands is the tangible proof that a real relationship with Him has taken root in our lives.
A Living Faith
Think of it like this: If you say you know a skilled carpenter, how would you know? You’d look at the furniture they build, the structures they erect. Similarly, our knowledge of God is demonstrated by the 'fruit' of our lives – our actions reflecting His will.
More Than Rules
This isn't about earning God's favor through perfect performance. It's about the natural outflow of a heart surrendered to Him. When we truly know Him, His commands become less of a burden and more of a guide that aligns us with His loving purposes.
We often think of knowing someone as understanding their history or sharing memories. But with God, the knowledge that matters is deeper – it touches our very will.
John isn't talking about a superficial acquaintance. 'Knowing him' here implies an intimate, experiential relationship. And the primary way this intimacy is expressed and confirmed is through obedience.
A Response to Love
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When we grasp the depth of God's love for us, demonstrated most profoundly in Jesus, obedience becomes a natural and joyful response. It’s not coercion, but a willing alignment of our desires with His perfect will. Our commands aren't arbitrary rules; they are invitations into a life that truly reflects Him.
Tested and True
This knowledge is tested and proven through action. It’s the difference between saying 'I love you' and showing it through consistent, faithful living. John wants us to have confidence in our faith, and he provides this clear benchmark: our obedience.
Understand the original words
entolē · Greek Noun
The set of moral or ritual instructions given by God to His people; in the New Testament, it refers to Christ's teachings and the moral requirements of the new covenant.
alētheia · Greek Noun
That which conforms to reality, God's nature, and the revelation of His word; it is the antithesis of falsehood and a defining characteristic of the Christian life.
Jesus directly links loving Him to keeping His commands, echoing John's emphasis on obedience as evidence of true knowledge of God.
1 John 3:24This passage reinforces the idea that abiding in God and God abiding in us is shown through keeping His commands, linking obedience to an intimate relationship with God.
Matthew 7:21Jesus declares that those who do the will of His Father in heaven, not just those who say 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom, highlighting obedience as the true measure of discipleship.
1 John 5:3This verse explicitly states that God's commands are not burdensome for those who are born of God, further clarifying that genuine knowledge of God results in a willing obedience.
It’s easy to think of "knowing God" as just an intellectual understanding, but John connects it directly to action. The real evidence isn't just what you believe in your head, but whether you're living out what God has commanded in your daily life. This shows that true intimacy with God is marked by obedience.
John is writing to assure believers of their true relationship with God, contrasting genuine faith with deceptive claims. He's just explained that a true encounter with God results in living a different kind of life, so here he offers a concrete way to test that reality: obedience to Jesus' commands is the evidence of knowing Him. This leads directly into his explanation that keeping God's commands isn't about earning salvation, but about walking in love and truth, and not living in the darkness of deception.
John is writing to assure believers of their true relationship with God, contrasting genuine faith with deceptive claims. He's just explained that a true encounter with God results in living a different kind of life, so here he offers a concrete way to test that reality: obedience to Jesus' commands is the evidence of knowing Him. This leads directly into his explanation that keeping God's commands isn't about earning salvation, but about walking in love and truth, and not living in the darkness of deception.
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him," — It’s easy to think of "knowing God" as just an intellectual understanding, but John connects it directly to action. The real evidence isn't just what you believe in your head, but whether you're li…
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Last reviewed October 2026