But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
"Again the false claims to knowledge by the opponents are stated first, this time introduced by the clause ’he who says’ (cf. 1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:9). Each of these claims is again denied and the evidence or ’tests’ of the true knowledge of God is set forth: obeying his commands (1 John 2:5), walking in his likeness (1 John 2:6), and loving one’s brother (1 John 2:10)." [Note: Ibid.] 