1 John 2:9

Hateth [μ ι σ ω ν]. The sharp issue is maintained here as in Christ's words, "He that is not with me is against me" (Luke 11:23). Men fall into two classes, those who are in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in light and love, and those who are not in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in darkness and hatred. "A direct opposition," says Bengel; where love is not, there is hatred. "The heart is not empty." See John 3:20; John 7:7; John 14:18 sqq.; John 17:14. The word hate is opposed both to the love of natural affection [φ ι λ ε ι ν], and to the more discriminating sentiment - love founded on a just estimate [α γ α π α ν]. For the former see John 12:25; John 14:18; John 14:19; compare Luke 14:26. For the latter, 1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:15; 1 John 4:20; Matthew 5:43; Matthew 6:24; Ephesians 5:28; Ephesians 5:29. "In the former case, hatred, which may become a moral duty, involves the subjection of an instinct. In the latter case it expresses a general determination of character" (Westcott).

His brother [τ ο ν α δ ε λ φ ο ν]. His fellow - Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See vv. 10, 11; 1 John 3:10; 1 John 3:15; 1 John 3:17; John 4:20; John 4:21; John 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (John 2:11; John 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (John 13:5 sqq.). In Acts 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Acts 1:15, where the true reading is aJudelfwn brethren, for maqhtwn disciples). See Acts 9:30; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 John 3:14; 3 John 1:5; 3 John 1:10; John 21:23. Peter has hJ aJudelfothv the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 5:9). The believers. Under three forms : The believers (oiJ pistoi; Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:12); they that believe (oiJ pisteuontev; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19); they that believed (oiJ pisteusantev; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 4:3). The saints [ο ι α γ ι ο ι]; characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts 13:32; Acts 13:41; Acts 26:10), and once in Jude 1:3. Also Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:24. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1; Ephesians 1:15, etc. In Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 8:4; Revelation 11:18, etc.

Until now [ε ω ς α ρ τ ι]. Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 26:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6.