1 John 2:8

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you, &c.] Which is the same with the former, considered in different respects. The command of brotherly love is a new one; that is, it is an excellent one, as a new name is an excellent name, and a new song is an excellent one; it is renewed by Christ under the Gospel dispensation; it is newly explained by him, and purged from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees; (see <400543> Matthew 5:43,44); and enforced by him with a new argument, and by a new example of his own, even his own love to his people; and which is observed by them in a new manner, they being made new creatures; and this law being anew written in their hearts, under the renewing…”

“a new commandment--It was "old," in that Christians as such had heard it from the first; but "new" (Greek, "kaine," not "nea": new and different from the old legal precept) in that it was first clearly promulgated with Christianity; though the inner spirit of the law was love even to enemies, yet it was enveloped in some bitter precepts which caused it to be temporarily almost unrecognized, till the Gospel came. Christianity first put love to brethren on the new and highest MOTIVE, instinctive love to Him who first loved us, constraining us to love all, even enemies, thereby walking in the steps of Him who loved us when enemies. So Jesus calls it "new," Joh 13:34-35, "Love one another as I…”

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you - “And yet, that which I write to you, and particularly enjoin on you, deserves in another sense to be called a new commandment, though it has been also inculcated from the beginning, for it was called new by the Saviour himself.” Or the meaning may be, “In addition to the general precepts which I have referred to, I do now call your attention to the new commandment of the Saviour, that which he himself called new.” There can be no doubt here that John refers to the commandment to “love one another,” (see 1 John 2:9-11), and that it is here called new, not in the sense that John inculcated it as a novel doctrine, but in the sense that the Saviour…”

“Again, I do write a new commandment to you - Namely, with regard to loving one another. A commandment which, though it also was given long ago, yet is truly new in him and in you. It was exemplified in him, and is now fulfilled by you, in such a manner as it never was before. For there is no comparison between the state of the Old Testament believers, and that which ye now enjoy: the darkness of that dispensation is passed away; and Christ the true light now shineth in your hearts. 1 John 2:9”

“2:8 Yet it is also new: Jesus’ command provided the new basis for their love in his own demonstration of love to the disciples (John 13:1-17). • the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining: The light of the Good News expels darkness. Darkness cannot overcome it, especially where believers are living out the love that is in Christ.”

“a new: Jo1 4:21; Joh 13:34, Joh 15:12 which: Jo1 3:14-16, Jo1 4:11; Joh 15:12-15; Co2 8:9; Eph 5:1, Eph 5:2; Pe1 1:21, Pe1 4:1-3 the darkness: Sol 2:11, Sol 2:12; Isa 9:2, Isa 60:1-3; Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79; Joh 12:46; Act 17:30; Act 26:18; Rom 13:12; Co2 4:4-6; Eph 5:8; Th1 5:5-8 and the: Psa 27:1, Psa 36:9, Psa 84:11; Mal 4:2; Joh 1:4, Joh 1:5, Joh 1:9, Joh 8:12, Joh 12:35; Ti2 1:10 1 John 2:9”