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(Photo by Spencer Watson on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)

Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.

In Lesson 72, we are going to study the last part of 1 John 2:29.

Let’s read the last part of 1 John 2:29.

1 John 2:29…you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.

Let’s go over the definitions of the words.

You also know (1097. ginóskó) — means to know through experience or relationally, not merely intellectually.

That (3754. hoti) — means that, because, or since.

Everyone (3956. pas) — means all, every, or each one.

Who (3588. ho, hé, to) practices (4160. poieó) — means to do, carry out habitually, or to live in a pattern characterized by righteousness.

Righteousness (1342. dikaios) — means conformity to God’s will.

Is born (1080. gennaó) of Him (1537. ek or ex) (846. autos) means has been been born or brought forth by God, indicating a spiritual birth.

In the previous lesson, Lesson 71, we studied the first part of 1 John 2:29.

The first part of 1 John 2:29 says, “If you know that He is righteous…”

In other words, if you have come to know through experience that Jesus is righteous, meaning He is sinless, pure, and always does what pleases God, then you also understand that everyone who has been born or brought forth by God will carry out righteousness habitually and live in a consistent pattern that reflects conformity to God’s will, with a sincere desire to do what pleases Him.

The word “practices” speaks of something ongoing. It describes a consistent way of living, not a single act. This does not mean that believers never sin, but that their lives are increasingly characterized by righteousness as they become more like Jesus.

When John says that we have been “born of Him,” he is describing something that has already taken place. This refers to the new birth that happens when a person puts their faith in Christ. This new life is not earned or produced by human effort. It is entirely the work of God within us.

A life that reflects God’s righteousness by practicing righteousness demonstrates that a person has truly been born of God. The ability to live in this way comes from His power working within us, not from our own strength.

Let’s look at some verses that show the connection between being born of God and living a life of righteousness.

In Ezekiel 36:26–27, God promises to give His people a new heart and a new spirit. He says He will remove their heart of stone and replace it with a heart o