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1Jn_2:6 gives the more particular definition of what the τηρεῖν of God’s commandments, and therefore the Christian’s walk in light, consists in.
ὁ λέγων ] as in 1Jn_2:4; here, however, with the infinitive construction.
ἐν αὐτῷ μένειν ] ἐν αὐτῷ does not refer to Christ (Augustin, Hornejus, Wolf, Lange, Neander, etc.), but to God.
μένειν ] instead of εἶναι , 1Jn_2:5. Both expressions are synonymous, it is true, but not identical (Beza); in μένειν the unchangeableness of the being is brought out. Bengel: Synonyma cum gradatione: ilium nosse, in illo esse, in illo manere. Frommann (p. 187): “The being and abiding in God signifies one and the same fellowship with God. The latter describes it merely as something constant, lasting, which accessory notion is not contained in the former expression.”
ὀφείλει ] comp. chap. 1Jn_3:16, 1Jn_4:11, “is in duty bound,” refers back to ὁ λέγων ; it is not meant to be indicated here what is demanded in regard to the μένειν ἐν Θεῷ , but what is the duty of him who says that he abides in God—if he does not want to be a liar, in whom the truth is not, 1Jn_2:4.
καθὼς ἐκεῖνος περιεπάτησε , καὶ αὐτὸς [ οὕτως ] περιπατεῖν ] By these words Christ is placed as a pattern before Christians, i.e. in regard to His whole walk (which is elsewhere done in the N. T. only in regard to His self-abasement and to His conduct in suffering; see this commentary on 1Pe_2:21); of what sort this was, John does not here say; from the connection with what precedes, however, it is clear that the apostle points to Him in so far as He kept the commandments of God, and therefore walked in the light.[101] This reference to Christ as an example is frequently found in the same form ( καθὼς ἐκεῖνος ) in our Epistle; so 1Jn_3:3; 1Jn_3:7; 1Jn_4:17; comp. also Joh_13:15; Joh_15:10, and passim.
περιπατεῖν describes not merely the disposition, but the action resulting from it. In the fact that John brings just this out (comp. especially chap. 1Jn_3:17-18), it is evident how far his mysticism is removed from mere fanaticism.
On οὕτως , see the critical notes.
[101] Semler paraphrases: Si quis gloriatur, se suamque doctrinam semper convenisse cum doctrina ilia Christi, is sane debet etiam in humanae vitae modo non Judaismum praeferre (!).