¶ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.
We know {G1492} that {G3754} we {G2249} have passed {G3327} from {G1537} death {G2288} unto {G1519} life {G2222}, because {G3754} we love {G25} the brethren {G80}. He that loveth {G25} not {G3361} his brother {G80} abideth {G3306} in {G1722} death {G2288}.
We, for our part, know that we have passed from death to life because we keep loving the brothers. The person who fails to keep on loving is still under the power of death.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.
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John 13:35
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. -
1 John 5:2
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. -
1 John 4:20
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? -
1 John 4:21
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. -
1 Thessalonians 4:9
¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. -
John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. -
John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
1 John 3:14 (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.
Commentary
This verse follows John's stark contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil (1 John 3:10). Having established that righteousness is a mark of God's children, he immediately turns to love as the primary evidence.
Key Themes: The central message is one of assurance and evidence. John asserts that genuine love for fellow believers is a sure sign that a person has undergone the radical transformation from spiritual death (separation from God) to spiritual life (union with God through Christ). Conversely, the absence of this love indicates that one remains in a state of spiritual death. This love is not the *cause* of salvation, but a vital *proof* of it.
Linguistic Insights: The phrase "passed from death unto life" (μεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν - metabebēkamen ek tou thanatou eis tēn zōēn) uses a perfect tense verb, suggesting a completed action with ongoing results – a decisive transition has occurred. The word for "love" here is ἀγαπάω (agapaō), referring to agape love, a selfless, sacrificial, and God-like love, not mere affection. "Abideth" (μένει - menei) signifies remaining or continuing in a state.
Context and Significance: In the context of John's epistle, which combats false teachings and encourages genuine Christian living, love for fellow believers serves as a practical and observable test of faith. It is closely linked to the "new commandment" given by Jesus (John 13:34-35). This love is a fruit of the Spirit and a natural outflow of the divine life received at conversion.
Practical Application: This verse challenges believers to examine their relationships within the Christian community. Is there active, selfless love for other Christians? While not a measure of perfection, the presence or absence of this foundational love serves as a critical indicator of one's spiritual state. It calls us to cultivate this God-given love as a tangible expression of our new life in Christ.