1 John 2:29

“If ye know that he is righteous, &c.] That is, Christ, who is righteous as God in his nature and in his works; and as man in his obedience, life, and conversation; and as Mediator, in faithfully discharging the work he undertook; and is the author of an everlasting righteousness, which is imputed by God, revealed in the Gospel, and received by faith; all which they knew, for this is not said as doubting, but rather as taking it for granted that they did know it; “if”, or “seeing ye know”, &c. then it follows; ye know, or “know ye”; ye may assure yourselves, that everyone that doeth righteousness; not merely works of righteousness, especially in order to justify him before God; for such an…”

“The heading of the second division of the Epistle: "God is righteous; therefore, every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him." Love is the grand feature and principle of "righteousness" selected for discussion, 1Jo. 2:29-3:3. If ye know . . . ye know--distinct Greek verbs: "if ye are aware (are in possession of the knowledge) . . . ye discern or apprehend also that," &c. Ye are already aware that God ("He" includes both "the Father," of whom the believer is born (end of this verse, and Jo1 3:1), and "the Son," Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:23) is righteous, ye must necessarily, thereby, perceive also the consequence of that truth, namely, "that everyone that doeth righteousness (and he alone;…”

“If ye know that he is righteous - This is not said as if there could be any doubt on the subject, but merely to call their attention to it as a well-known truth, and to state what followed from it. Everyone who has any true acquaintance with God, must have the fullest conviction that he is a righteous Being. But, if this be so, John says, then it must follow that only those who are truly righteous can regard themselves as begotten of Him. Ye know - Margin, “know ye.” The Greek will bear either construction, and either would make good sense. Assuming that God is righteous, it would be proper to state, as in the text, that it followed from this that they must know that only those who are…”

“Every one - And none else. Who practiseth righteousness - From a believing, loving heart. Is born of him - For all his children are like himself. Next: 1 John Chapter 3”

“he is: Jo1 2:1, Jo1 3:5; Zac 9:9; Act 3:14, Act 22:14; Co2 5:21; Heb 1:8, Heb 1:9, Heb 7:2, Heb 7:26; Pe1 3:18 ye know: or, know ye that every: Jo1 3:7, Jo1 3:10; Jer 13:23; Mat 7:16-18; Act 10:35; Tit 2:12-14 is born: Jo1 3:9, Jo1 4:7, Jo1 5:1; Joh 1:13, Joh 3:3-5; Jam 1:18; Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:23; Pe2 1:4 Next: 1 John Chapter 3”