Definition: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse! It's a really important one about faith and obedience. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “If we follow God’s rules and guidelines, then we truly know him.” Let’s unpack that a bit: “And hereby we do know…” – This is just a way of saying "We understand this." It's about recognizing something. "...that we know him..." - This means we have a connection with God, a relationship with him. We’re not just thinking about him; we’re experiencing him in a meaningful way. "...if we keep his commandments." – This is the crucial part! "Commandments" refers to God's laws and guidelines – things like being honest, kind, loving, forgiving, etc. “Keeping” them means following those rules consistently and diligently. So, putting it all together: 1 John 2:3 tells us that if we live a life that’s pleasing to God by obeying his laws and principles, then we are truly knowing him – understanding who he is and what he expects of us. It's about genuine faith and living a righteous life. Why is this important? It’s often used as a reminder for believers to live a moral and spiritual life. It encourages us to be trustworthy and to follow God’s will, not just out of obligation, but because we genuinely want to connect with Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some examples of how these commandments might look in practice?

Definition: And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this short verse from John 2:3. It’s a really interesting and symbolic part of the story of Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a lack of celebration and joy. When the Jewish people (led by the priests and officials) wanted to celebrate with wine, Jesus says, “They have no wine.” Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “When they wanted wine…” : This sets the scene – there was a request for celebration and festivities. “…the mother of Jesus saith unto him…” : This is Jesus speaking. "Says" here means he’s offering a statement, a question, or an instruction. “They have no wine.” : This is the key part. It's not just about not having wine; it’s about a complete absence of joy, celebration, and enthusiasm. It suggests they were feeling disappointed, sad, or perhaps even angry. What does this say about Jesus? This verse is often interpreted as: He was anticipating a joyous occasion. It implies that Jesus was expecting to be celebrated and happy with his followers. His arrival was unexpected. Perhaps he was coming to a time when there wasn't enough celebration or joy. It’s a moment of quiet anticipation. Symbolic Meaning: It's important to remember this is a symbolic picture. Wine represents celebration, joy, and abundance. The lack of it symbolizes a lack of something valuable – perhaps hope, peace, or the fulfillment of their expectations. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Explore what the verse might be telling us about Jesus’s intentions?