Moral Darkness
Abp. Wm. Alexander. 1 John 2:9-11 He that said he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.… Note the solemn and picturesque eloquence of the accessional parallelism in this verse. The inner condition of him who hates his brother — "is in darkness"; the outward life — "walketh in darkness" (Psalm 82:5; Ecclesiastes 2:14). He has lost his point of orientation — "he knoweth not whither he goeth," to what unsurmised guilt and punishment. Something follows, worse than darkness above — the darkness has not only blinded him, but "blinded his very eyes" once for all. He has lost the very faculty of sight! Could the apostle have thought of creatures who, in dark caverns, not only lose the faculty of sight, but have the visive organs atrophied? Tennyson has presentedthe same image, applying it, however, not to sin, but to sorrow — "But the night has crept into my heart, And begun to darken my eyes." (Abp. Wm. Alexander.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. WEB: He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.