1 John 2:9-11

⁹ He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

¹⁰ He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

¹¹ But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Note the three phrases, “walking in the light” (1:7); “being in the light” (2:9); “abiding in the light” (2:10). Walking speaks of conduct, abiding speaks of the condition which determines the conduct. — Vine, page 28.

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The word “brother” in 1 John does not always indicate a believing brother for the genuine kingdom believer does not hate another brother (v.11, 3:15; 4:20). Rather, the racial relationship of the Jewish brotherhood is described in Romans 9:3. A Jew who believes in Jesus Christ must be prepared to endure the hatred of his unbelieving brothers in Israel (Matthew 24:9-13; Revelation 2:7). Walking in darkness here was a spiritual darkness apart from saving faith (1 John 4:20). — Grace, page 2219.

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As to whether the reference (v.10) is to causing others to stumble, or stumbling oneself, while it is quite true that he who hates his brother sets a bad example, and might cause others to sin, yet there is nothing in the passage to indicate that this is the meaning. On the contrary, what is under consideration is the direct spiritual condition of the person himself. This is, moreover, confirmed by the parallel phrase in v.4, “the truth is not in him.” and, as to walking in the light, cp. John 11:9-10, “If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.” Cp. Psalm 119:165. — Vine, page 29. 

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[Verse 11] explains v.9, and enforces its teaching by describing in a three-fold way the condition of the mere professor, who hates his brother. The three statements as as to: (1) his existence — he is in the darkness, (2) His activity — he walks in the darkness, (3) His blindness — he knows not whither he is going. 

(1) Since he is in the darkness he is actually in separation from the children of light. (2) His course of conduct is in the darkness, however varied his circumstances may be. (3) Just as animals that are kept in the dark become blind, so the darkness of one who hates his brother blinds his eyes and prevents him from seeing where he is going — not merely his eventual destiny, but the very course he is pursing. — Vine, page 29.

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The contrast between the true believer who is in the light and walks in the light, and the false professor who is in the darkness and walks in hatred, is now complete, so far as this passage goes. There is no neutral position. The distinction is important and bears upon a later passage in the Epistle, where the contrast between those who are children of God and those who are not is again set out. … There is direct opposition. Where there is not love there is hatred. It may be latent but it is there. — Vine, page 29.

It is important to remember that John was writing to Jewish believers in the past (during the Transition Period between Law and Grace) and in the future (during the Tribulation Period after the Church is raptured) who have the Law written on their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:10-11). While believers today are urged to love, we also have an ongoing battle between our old and new natures. When the old nature gains ascendency, it often results in hate, but that does not mean the new nature no longer dwells in the believer (Romans 7:15-25).