1 John 2:5

“But whoso keepeth his word, &c.] Either the word of the Gospel, and the truths of it, who receives it in love, cordially embraces and retains it, and will by no means part with it, but holds it fast, and stands fast in it; or the precepts and ordinances of the word, who loves these, and esteems them above fine gold, and concerning all things to be right, and observes them as they should be: in him verily is the love of God perfected: not the love wherewith God loves him, for that is perfect in himself, and admits of no degrees, and cannot be more or less in his heart, and is entirely independent of the obedience of men, or any works of theirs; it is true indeed the manifestations of this…”

“Not merely repeating the proposition, Jo1 2:3, or asserting the merely opposite alternative to Jo1 2:4, but expanding the "know Him" of Jo1 2:3, into "in Him, verily (not as a matter of vain boasting) is the love of (that is towards) God perfected," and "we are in Him." Love here answers to knowledge in Jo1 2:3. In proportion as we love God, in that same proportion we know Him, and vice versa, until our love and knowledge shall attain their full maturity of perfection. his word--His word is one (see on Jo1 1:5), and comprises His "commandments," which are many (Jo1 2:3). hereby--in our progressing towards this ideal of perfected love and obedience. There is a gradation: Jo1 2:3, "know Him";…”

“But whoso keepeth his word - That is, what he has spoken or commanded, The term “word” here will include all that he has made known to us as his will in regard to our conduct. In him verily is the love of God perfected - He professes to have the love of God in his heart, and that love receives its completion or filling up by obedience to the will of God. That obedience is the proper carrying out, or the exponent of the love which exists in the heart. Love to the Saviour would be defective without that, for it is never complete without obedience. If this be the true interpretation, then the passage does not make any affirmation about sinless perfection, but it only affirms that if true love…”

“But whoso keepeth his word - His commandments. Verily in him the love of God - Reconciled to us through Christ. Is perfected - Is perfectly known. Hereby - By our keeping his word. We know that we are in him - So is the tree known by its fruits. To "know him," to be "in him," to "abide in him," are nearly synonymous terms; only with a gradation, - knowledge, communion, constancy. 1 John 2:6”

“whoso: Jo1 2:3, Jo1 2:4; Psa 105:45, Psa 106:3, Psa 119:2, Psa 119:4, Psa 119:146; Pro 8:32, Pro 28:7; Ecc 8:5; Eze 36:27; Luk 11:28; Joh 14:21, Joh 14:23; Rev 12:17, Rev 14:12 in him: Jo1 4:12, Jo1 4:18; Jam 2:22 hereby: Jo1 2:27, Jo1 2:28, Jo1 3:24, Jo1 4:13, Jo1 4:15, Jo1 4:16, Jo1 5:20; Joh 6:56, Joh 15:5; Rom 8:1; Co1 1:30; Co2 5:17, Co2 5:21; Col 2:9, Col 2:10 1 John 2:6”