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1 John 3:14
ESV We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
NIV We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
NASB We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.
CSB We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.
NLT If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
KJV We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
NKJV We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

What does 1 John 3:14 mean?

John next adds a key line of evidence that a person has moved from the realm of evil into the realm of God: love. John and his readers loved one another. The Greek root word translated here as "love" is agape. The term implies a selfless, self-sacrificing love focused on other people. Those who exhibit this kind of love give strong evidence to support that they are true believers.

In contrast, John taught that a lack of love is a sign of "abiding" in death. This concept of "abiding" is important, as the intended audience of this letter is Christian believers. Hatred, according to Jesus, is the spiritual equivalent to murder (Matthew 5:21–22). Christians are certainly capable of feeling hate, but such feelings are never the product of fellowship with Christ. As John words it, anyone who hates "abides in death." At the very least, this is serious sin. It is also a possible indication that the person has never had a relationship with Christ, at all.
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