3:24 And the person who keeps his commandments resides77 in God,78 and God79 in him. Now by this80 we know that God81 resides in us: by the Spirit he has given us.
tn The verb μένω (menō) has been translated “resides” here because this verse refers to the mutual and reciprocal relationship between God and the believer.
sn The verb resides (μένω, menō) here and again in the second clause of 3:24 refers to the permanence of relationship between God and the believer, as also in 2:6; 4:12, 13, 15, and 16 (3×).
78
tnGrk “in him.” In context this is almost certainly a reference to God (note the phrase “his Son Jesus Christ” in 3:23).
79
tnGrk “he.” In context this is almost certainly a reference to God (note the phrase “his Son Jesus Christ” in 3:23).
80
tn Once again there is the (by now familiar) question of whether the phrase ἐν τούτῳ (en toutō) refers to what precedes or to what follows. In this case, the following phrase ἐκ τοῦ πνεύματος (ek tou pneumatos) explains the ἐν τούτῳ phrase, and so it refers to what follows.
81
tnGrk “he.” In context this is almost certainly a reference to God (note the phrase “his Son Jesus Christ” in 3:23).