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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Theophylact of Ohrid
It is customary for this blessed man to use the same words to designate different things, as for example in the verse: "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him" (John 1:10). So now too he has used the word "to know" in different senses. For the word "to know" expresses both knowledge of something and a very close acquaintance with someone. Such is the meaning in the words: "The Lord knows those who are His" (2 Tim. 2:19), and: "Him who knew no sin He made to be sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21).
Oecumenius
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." "And by this we know." When John had said above that those who believed in the Lord have fellowship with him (1 Jn. 1:6), he now presents what confirms that fellowship towards him, and he says: "And by this we know that we have come to know him." This divine man often uses similar expressions in the same way: as when he says: "He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him." (Jn. …
Clement of Alexandria
"And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." For the Gnostic also does the Works which pertain to the province of virtue. But he who performs the works is not necessarily also a Gnostic. For a man may be a doer of right works, and yet not a knower of the mysteries of science. Finally, knowing that some works are performed from fear of punishment, and some on account of the promise of reward, he shows the perfection of the man gifted with knowledge, who fulfils his works by love.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"And in this we do know Him, if we keep His commandments." What commandments? "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." But still thou askest, What commandments? "But whoso," saith he, "keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." Let us see whether this same commandment be not called love. …
Bede
And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Which commandments he means, he explains subsequently, that is, love.
Translation