Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 John 2:11

11 But he that hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes .

Hath no Principle to guide or govern him, but what is common to the unregenerate World, so that his whole Life is a continual Error; nor doth he understand or consider the tendency of his Course, being still under the Power of an affected Darkness that makes his Eyes, or Understanding, of no more use than if he were quite blind, or had none at all. So weighty and important is the Precept which he had to lay down, v. 15. of not loving the World, &c. that he introduces it with the Solemnity of a most pathetick Preface contained in these three following Verses, wherein he applies himself severally to the distinct Orders and Ranks into which Christians were capable of being reduc'd, the matter being of common and equal Concernment to all of them. And he speaks sutable to the Condition and State of each, such things as whereby he might most effectually insinuate with them, and oblige them deeply to consider what he had to say; doubling also his Application to each of them, out of the earnestness of his Intention and Endeavour to fasten the Exhortation upon them which was to follow.

Marginal references: Joh. 12.35.