1 John 3:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

NIV: For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

NASB: For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we are to love one another;

CSB: For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another,

NLT: This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

KJV: For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

NKJV: For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

John begins a new section with a positive reminder about love. "The beginning" likely refers to when his readers first heard the gospel message. John 13:34–35 offers the first time Jesus made this statement: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Jesus mentions this command to "love one another" again in John 15:12 and 17. Paul mentions its importance in Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:9. Peter notes believers are to "love one another" in 1 Peter 1:22. John develops this theme throughout this chapter (1 John 3:11, 23) as well as the next (1 John 4:7, 11, 12), mentioning it again in 2 John 1:5.

The fact that John directs this statement to those who have heard this message already is an important piece of context. The points raised in the previous section are important in examining one's own faith, but—technically—they are warnings given to saved believers.

First John 3:11–18 describes the contrast between hate and love, and how love ought to be seen in the life of a Christian believer. Evil has a jealous hatred for good. This is why Cain killed Abel, and why hatred is considered the spiritual equivalent to murder. Christians are expected to do more than feel love, they are commanded to act on it, in selfless sacrifice.

The third chapter of 1 John focuses mostly on the concept of love. Because of His love, God not only calls us His children, He actually makes us His children. John also explains how sin, including hate, is never the result of a proper relationship with God. Christians, in contrast to the world, are supposed to do more than simply ''feel'' love; we are to act on it, as well

Chapters 1 and 2 introduced the stark differences between those who truly have fellowship with Christ, as opposed to those who are ''in darkness.'' Chapter 3 continues this discussion, with a particular emphasis on love. This serves as a bridge, between John's descriptions of lives lived abiding either in darkness or light, to an explanation of how God's faithfulness gives us confidence as Christian believers.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.

Accessed 9/7/2024 8:11:55 PM