=19. And this is the condemnation.= Not merely, This is the cause of the condemnation; Christ has already stated that in the preceding verse; he here states the nature of the condemnation. He that loves darkness rather than light is given over to his own choice; this is the sentence pronounced against him (Hosea 4:1-17; Rom. 1:28; Rev. 22:11).--=Men loved darkness rather than light.= Not merely _more_ than light; they chose darkness. For illustration of this deliberate choice of darkness see Matt. 13:14, 15; 28:12-14; John 6:66; 12:10, 11; Acts 4:16, 17; 2 Tim. 4:10. This is not always, however, a conscious and deliberate choice. See John 12:43; 2 Tim. 3:4.--=Because their deeds are evil.= _Corrupting to others._ This is the force of the Greek word (πονηρὰ), which is different from that rendered _evil_ in the next verse. The corrupting power of sin lies in its secreting its evil character and purpose; hence it avoids the light; hence too it is called in Scripture the power of darkness (Luke 22:53; Col. 1:13; Rev. 16:10). Observe the secret cause of unbelief here indicated; men are willfully ignorant of the truth. It is not the intellect, but the will which is perverse. “The source of unbelief is immorality.”--(_Meyer._) 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither[101] cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [101] Job 24:13, 17; Pr. 4:18, 19. =20. Every one that practiseth evil.= _Worthless things_ (φαῦλα) not as in the preceding verse, _things corrupting_. But corrupting include worthless things, for they are not only worthless but worse than worthless. The evil here characterized is parallel to the idle words of Matt. 12:36, and it is opposed to the truth which is always fruitful in goodness and love.--=Hateth the light.= It has been supposed by some that there is in these words a covert rebuke of Nicodemus for coming to Christ secretly by night. This seems to me improbable. Christ was not accustomed to conceal his rebukes so deftly.--=Lest his deeds should be reproved.= Not necessarily by words of condemnation, but by the mere exposure of their worthlessness when brought to the light. See Luke 3:19, 20; John 8:8, 9; Compare Ephes. 5:11-13. 21 But he that doeth[102] truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought[103] in God. [102] 1 John 1:6. [103] John 3:21.