The Apostle reiterates the “old commandment” (1 John 2:7-11) as not only the paramount duty of believers but the evidence of their divine sonship. He has said that the evidence lies in “doing righteousness,” and now he defines ποιεῖν δικαιοσύνην as ἀγαπᾶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ. See note on 1 John 2:9. The “righteousness” of the Pharisees consisted in ritual observance, that of Jesus in love. δίκαιος had the meaning “kind,” “sweetly reasonable”. See Hatch, Ess. in Bib. Gk., p. 50 ff. On Matthew 1:19 St. Chrysostom remarks: δίκαιον ἐνταῦθα τὸν ἐνάρετον ἐν ἅπασι λέγει. ἔστι μὲν γὰρ δικαιοσύνη καὶ τὸ μὴ πλεονεκτεῖν · ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἡ καθόλου ἀρετή.… δίκαιος οὖν ὢν, τούτεστι χρηστὸς καὶ ἐπιεικής.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament