1 John 3:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

NIV: Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.

NASB: not as Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And for what reason did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous.

CSB: unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.

NLT: We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

KJV: Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

NKJV: not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

In contrast with loving one another in verse 11, John brings up the example of the first murderer, Cain. Cain recognized God (Genesis 4), but did not follow Him. Instead, Cain showed that he did not love God by killing his brother. Hatred for one's brother—spiritually speaking—was already condemned as Satanic in 1 John 2:9. There is no sin which a Christian is not somehow capable of, but those who persist in "walking in darkness" cannot reasonably be considered saved.

This verse also asks and answers the question of why Cain killed his brother: jealous resentment, since Abel's offerings were more acceptable than Cain's. Jealousy and hatred towards one's brothers and sisters is "of the evil one." Cain's offering was evil in some way, likely because he did not offer his best before the Lord. Abel's offering was considered righteous. John uses this contrast to show the difference between attitudes motivated by God, and those motivated by Satan. Hatred for the good that others do is absolutely evil, and a sign of someone lacking fellowship with Christ.

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.