1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

My {G3450} little children {G5040}, let us {G25} not {G3361} love {G25} in word {G3056}, neither {G3366} in tongue {G1100}; but {G235} in deed {G2041} and {G2532} in truth {G225}.

Children, let us love not with words and talk, but with actions and in reality!

Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, often contrasts genuine Christian living with superficial adherence, and 1 John 3:18 is a powerful encapsulation of this theme, specifically concerning love.

Context

Coming after a profound discussion on the nature of God's children and the necessity of righteousness, this verse serves as a practical application of the command to love one another. John has just presented Christ's ultimate example of love—laying down His life for us (1 John 3:16)—and then immediately challenged believers to open their hearts and resources to those in need (1 John 3:17). Verse 18 is a direct call to action, urging believers to move beyond mere verbal expressions of love to tangible demonstrations.

Key Themes

  • Authentic Love: John emphasizes that true love is not just a sentiment or a declaration. It must be demonstrated through concrete actions. This contrasts with hypocritical or insincere expressions of affection.
  • Love in Action: The phrase "in deed" highlights the necessity of practical assistance, generosity, and active service. It's about what we do, not just what we say.
  • Truthfulness and Integrity: "In truth" signifies that genuine love is sincere, honest, and consistent. It's love that aligns with reality and reflects the character of God, who is truth. It implies a lack of pretense or hidden motives.
  • Christian Discipleship: This verse is foundational for understanding what it means to live as a follower of Christ, where love is the distinguishing mark (John 13:35).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "My little children" (Greek: teknia mou) is a tender, affectionate term John frequently uses, underscoring his pastoral heart and the familial bond among believers. The contrast is sharp: "in word, neither in tongue" points to superficial talk, while "in deed" (Greek: ergo) refers to concrete, practical actions, and "in truth" (Greek: aletheia) implies sincerity, integrity, and genuine reality. This isn't just about being honest with our words, but having our actions genuinely reflect our professed love.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 John 3:18 serves as a vital challenge to examine the authenticity of our love. It calls us to move beyond mere well-wishing or polite greetings to actively seeking opportunities to serve, give, and support those around us, especially fellow believers and those in need. This active love is a tangible demonstration of our faith and a reflection of Christ's love for us. It echoes the sentiment found in James 2:26, that faith without works is dead, highlighting that true love is always active.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 2:15

    If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

  • James 2:16

    And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?

  • Romans 12:9

    [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4

    ¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

  • 1 Corinthians 13:7

    Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

  • Galatians 5:13

    ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

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