1 John 3:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G3754} this {G3778} is {G2076} the message {G31} that {G3739} ye heard {G191} from {G575} the beginning {G746}, that {G2443} we should love {G25} one another {G240}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning: that we should love each other

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 3:11 serves as a foundational declaration within John's first epistle, succinctly stating the timeless and non-negotiable command for believers to love one another. This "message from the beginning" is presented not as a novel concept, but as a core tenet of the Christian faith, distinguishing genuine discipleship and serving as a vital identifier for those truly born of God, in stark contrast to the hatred characteristic of the world and those who belong to darkness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within 1 John 3, a chapter that sharply contrasts the "children of God" with the "children of the devil." John has just established that those born of God do not habitually practice sin (1 John 3:9-10), and he immediately follows this by declaring that love for one another is the defining characteristic of God's children. Verse 11 introduces the theme of love as the positive manifestation of righteousness, directly preceding the negative example of Cain's murderous hatred (1 John 3:12) as the antithesis of brotherly love. Thus, 1 John 3:11 acts as the thematic hinge, articulating the fundamental command that sets the stage for the subsequent exposition of love versus hatred.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John wrote this epistle to a community facing internal strife and external pressures, particularly from proto-Gnostic false teachers who denied the true humanity of Christ and often exhibited a lack of moral and ethical concern, including a disregard for brotherly love. These false teachers claimed spiritual enlightenment but often lived in a way that contradicted the gospel, fostering division and animosity. In this context, John emphasizes that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but is visibly demonstrated through righteous living and, pre-eminently, through sacrificial love for fellow believers. This command for mutual love was crucial for maintaining unity, strengthening the community's witness in a hostile Roman world, and combating the divisive influence of those who had departed from the truth.
* **Key Themes:** The command to love one another is a central thread woven throughout John's writings. In this verse, it reinforces several key themes of the epistle: **The Enduring Message of Love:** John emphasizes that this command is not new, but "the message that ye heard from the beginning," echoing Jesus's "new commandment" given to His disciples (e.g., [John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - The New Commandment to Love")). It signifies that love is foundational to the gospel itself, preached from the earliest days of the Christian movement. **A Defining Mark of Discipleship:** For John, love is the practical outworking of being in right relationship with God. It is the primary evidence that one is "born of God" (as seen in [1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love as Evidence of Being Born of God")) and distinguishes true believers from those who walk in darkness and belong to the devil (as directly contrasted in [1 John 3:10](/1_john/3-10 "1 John 3:10 - Children of God vs. Children of the Devil")). **Truth and Righteousness:** Love is inextricably linked to truth and righteousness. To love truly is to walk in the light and obey God's commands, thereby affirming one's genuine faith against the claims of those who professed faith but lacked love and lived in sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **message (Greek, _angelía'_):** This term refers to an "announcement" or "precept." Here, it signifies a fundamental teaching or declaration that has been proclaimed. It's not just a suggestion but a core instruction that defines the Christian life and community, carrying the weight of divine authority.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This verb means "to hear" in various senses, implying not just the physical act of hearing, but also to "give audience to," "understand," or "perceive." In this context, it suggests that the believers have not only been exposed to this message but have also received it with understanding and are expected to internalize and act upon it.
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** This is the verb form of *agape*, a distinct type of love in the New Testament. It denotes a selfless, volitional, and often sacrificial love that seeks the highest good of the other, irrespective of their merit or the personal cost. It is the divine love that God demonstrates and commands His followers to emulate, going beyond mere affection or sentiment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this is the message":** John introduces a crucial point, connecting it to the preceding discussion about the distinction between God's children and the devil's children. "This" points forward to the content of the message itself, emphasizing its foundational importance as a core precept of the Christian faith.
* **"that ye heard from the beginning":** This phrase underscores the timeless and original nature of the command to love. It is not a new revelation but a fundamental truth proclaimed from the very outset of the gospel's spread and the establishment of the Christian community, likely referring to the initial teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
* **"that we should love one another":** This is the heart of the message, explicitly stating the central command. The use of "we" highlights the communal aspect, emphasizing that this love is to be practiced within the Christian family, a distinguishing mark of genuine fellowship and a reflection of God's character.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The primary device is **Exhortation**, as the verse functions as a direct command and encouragement to the believers. There is also an element of **Repetition** of a core theme, as the command to "love one another" is a recurring motif throughout John's Gospel and Epistles, reinforcing its paramount importance. Furthermore, the phrase "from the beginning" serves as an **Allusion** to the foundational teachings of Christ and the early church, lending historical and theological weight to the command. The verse's brevity and directness also contribute to its **Didactic Tone**, making the instruction clear and unambiguous for the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to love one another is deeply rooted in the very nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8). This divine love, *agape*, is not merely an attribute but the essence of God's being, which He pours into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, to love one another is to participate in God's own character and to reflect His image to the world. It is the practical outworking of the new covenant, where the Law is written on hearts, and believers are empowered to fulfill its greatest command. This love is also eschatological, pointing to the perfect communion of the saints in God's eternal kingdom, where love will reign supreme.

* [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment and Mark of Discipleship")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God is Love and We Ought to Love")
* [Galatians 5:13-14](/galatians/5-13-14 "Galatians 5:13-14 - Love as the Fulfillment of the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First John 3:11 calls believers to a radical and counter-cultural way of life. In a world often characterized by self-interest, division, and animosity, the command to "love one another" stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. This love is not passive or sentimental; it is active, sacrificial, and visible. It compels us to seek the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Christ, to forgive, to serve, to bear one another's burdens, and to prioritize unity over personal preference. It challenges us to examine our relationships within the church and beyond, asking whether our actions and attitudes truly reflect the divine love that has been poured into our hearts. Embracing this message fosters genuine community, strengthens our witness to a watching world, and confirms our identity as children of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does your daily life reflect the "message... that we should love one another" in practical, tangible ways?**
* **In what specific areas of your relationships with fellow believers do you find it most challenging to demonstrate selfless, *agape* love?**
* **What attitudes or actions might hinder the expression of this foundational love in your life or in your church community, and how can they be overcome?**

### FAQ
**What does "from the beginning" mean in 1 John 3:11?**

Answer: "From the beginning" (Greek: *ap' archēs*) refers to the earliest proclamation of the Christian message. It signifies that the command to love one another was not a later addition or a secondary teaching, but a fundamental and foundational truth taught by Jesus Christ Himself from the very outset of His ministry and subsequently by the apostles. It underscores the timeless and essential nature of this command within the core of Christian doctrine, echoing Jesus's direct instruction to His disciples, "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" ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - Jesus' New Commandment")).

**Is the "love" mentioned in 1 John 3:11 just an emotion?**

Answer: No, the Greek word used for "love" here is *agapáō* (the verb form of *agape*), which is far more than a mere emotion or sentimental feeling. *Agape* is a volitional, self-sacrificial, and active love that seeks the highest good of the beloved, even at personal cost. It is the kind of love that God Himself demonstrates towards humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")) and the love that Christ exemplified in His life and death ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). It is a love that chooses to act for the benefit of others, regardless of whether one "feels" like it, and it is the defining characteristic of those who are truly born of God ([1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God is Love")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not merely the one who *commands* love, but the very embodiment of *agape* itself. His entire life, from His incarnation to His crucifixion, was a perfect demonstration of selfless, sacrificial love. Jesus laid down His life for His friends, and even for His enemies, offering the supreme act of love on the cross ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). He is the standard by which all love is measured, for He loved us "just as I have loved you" ([John 15:12](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - Jesus' Command to Love")). Therefore, when believers are commanded to love one another, they are called to emulate the very character and actions of Christ. Our capacity to love is a direct result of His prior love for us, empowering us through the Holy Spirit to walk in the same love that He demonstrated, thereby fulfilling the "message" and bearing witness to the world that we are truly His disciples ([John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - Love as a Mark of Discipleship")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:12

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

2 John 1:5

¶ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

1 John 4:7

¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:21

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35

By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.