1 John 3:14

But we are not like those people. You see, God gave us new life. It’s like our spirits used to be dead, but now they are alive. We know that we have new life because we love other Christians. That shows that our spirits are alive. But if anyone does not love other Christians, that shows that their spirit is still dead.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

In Context

13Listen, my friends. There are people in this world that are just like Cain. They hate people that live God’s way, so they will hate you too. Don’t be shocked about that.

15You know, if you hate another Christian, God says that is really bad. He says it is just like you killed that other Christian. And we know that if you kill somebody, you do not have new life from God, and you can’t live with God for ever. So it’s the same if you hate another Christian, you do not have new life from God, and you can’t live with God for ever.

Read all of 1 John 3

Cross References

Matthew 25:40I will say to them, ‘Listen. You did all these things to help my followers. They were not important people, but they were mine, so every time you helped them, you helped me at the same time.’

Luke 15:24You see, my son got himself lost, but now I have found him. I thought he was gone for ever, like he was dead, but now he came back to me, and it is like he came alive again.’ So those workers did what he told them to do, and they had a big party.

John 5:24Listen, I am telling you straight, God is the one that sent me. If anyone listens to what I say and trusts God, they will live with him for ever. He will say they are not guilty, and he will not punish them. You see, they were going to die, and they were going to stay dead for ever. But now it is different for them. They will live with God for ever.

John 15:12Yes, and I am telling you this, you have to love each other, just like I loved you.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:12-14

Brotherly Love. ( a. d. 80.) 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 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. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. The apostle, having intimated that one mark of the devil's children is hatred of the brethren, takes occasion thence, I. To recommend fraternal Christian love, and that from the excellence,… Read the whole commentary →

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