1 John 3:17

But whoever has the world's sustenance, and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his pity from him, how abides the love of God in him?

The New Testament, American Bible Union (1865)

In The King James Version

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

In Context

16In this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

18Little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Read all of 1 John 3

Cross References

2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

2 Corinthians 9:5I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty before promised, that this may be ready, in manner as a bounty and not as covetousness.

Hebrews 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:15-20

Brotherly Love. ( a. d. 80.) 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 3:17