1 John 2:7

Brethren The true reading is Beloved. This form of address is specially suitable to this section (1 John 2:7), in which the subject of loveappears. In the second part of the Epistle, in which love is the main topic, this form of address becomes the prevailing one (1 John 3:2; 1 John 3:21; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11).

I write no new commandment The order of the Greek is worth keeping: not a new commandment do I write. What commandment is meant? To imitate Christ (1 John 2:6)? Or, to practise brotherly love (1 John 2:9)? Practically it makes little matter which answer we give, for at bottom these are one and the same. They are different aspects of walking in the light. But a definite command of some kind is meant, not vaguely the whole Gospel: had he meant the latter, S. John would rather have said -the word" or -the truth". See on 1 John 2:11.

from the beginning As already noticed on 1 John 1:1, the meaning of -beginning" must always depend upon the context. Several interpretations have been suggested here, and all make good sense. (1) From the beginning of the human race:brotherly love is an original human instinct. Christian Ethics are here as old as humanity. (2) From the beginning of the Law:-Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18) was commanded by Moses. Christian Ethics are in this only a repetition of Judaism. (3) From the beginning of your life as Christians:this was one of the first things ye were taught. On the whole this seems best, especially as we have the aorist, which ye heard, not the perfect, as A. V., ye have heard(see on 1 John 2:18): comp. 1 John 2:24 and especially 1 John 3:11; 2 John 1:5-6. The second -from the beginning" is not genuine.