11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning , that we should love one another ; 12 not as Cain , who was of the evil one and slew his brother . And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil , and his brother's were righteous . 13 Do not be surprised , brethren , if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life , because we love the brethren . He who does not love abides in death . 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer ; and you know that no e murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 We know love by this , that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren . 17 But whoever e has the world's goods , and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children , let us not love with word or with tongue , but in deed and truth . 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth , and will assure our heart before Him
20 in whatever e e our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things . 21 Beloved , if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God ; 22 and whatever e we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight .
23 This is His commandment , that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ , and love one another , just as He commanded e us. 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 John 3:11-24
Commentary on 1 John 3:11-15
(Read 1 John 3:11-15)
We should love the Lord Jesus, value his love, and therefore love all our brethren in Christ. This love is the special fruit of our faith, and a certain sign of our being born again. But none who rightly know the heart of man, can wonder at the contempt and enmity of ungodly people against the children of God. We know that we are passed from death to life: we may know it by the evidences of our faith in Christ, of which love to our brethren is one. It is not zeal for a party in the common religion, or affection for those who are of the same name and sentiments with ourselves. The life of grace in the heart of a regenerate person, is the beginning and first principle of a life of glory, whereof they must be destitute who hate their brother in their hearts.
Commentary on 1 John 3:16-21
(Read 1 John 3:16-21)
Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of Divine love, that God would redeem the church with his own blood. Surely we should love those whom God has loved, and so loved. The Holy Spirit, grieved at selfishness, will leave the selfish heart without comfort, and full of darkness and terror. By what can it be known that a man has a true sense of the love of Christ for perishing sinners, or that the love of God has been planted in his heart by the Holy Spirit, if the love of the world and its good overcomes the feelings of compassion to a perishing brother? Every instance of this selfishness must weaken the evidences of a man's conversion; when habitual and allowed, it must decide against him. If conscience condemn us in known sin, or the neglect of known duty, God does so too. Let conscience therefore be well-informed, be heard, and diligently attended to.
Commentary on 1 John 3:22-24
(Read 1 John 3:22-24)
When believers had confidence towards God, through the Spirit of adoption, and by faith in the great High Priest, they might ask what they would of their reconciled Father. They would receive it, if good for them. And as good-will to men was proclaimed from heaven, so good-will to men, particularly to the brethren, must be in the hearts of those who go to God and heaven. He who thus follows Christ, dwells in Him as his ark, refuge, and rest, and in the Father through him. This union between Christ and the souls of believers, is by the Spirit he has given them. A man may believe that God is gracious before he knows it; yet when faith has laid hold on the promises, it sets reason to work. This Spirit of God works a change; in all true Christians it changes from the power of Satan to the power of God. Consider, believer, how it changes thy heart. Dost not thou long for peace with God? Wouldst thou not forego all the world for it? No profit, pleasure, or preferment shall hinder thee from following Christ. This salvation is built upon Divine testimony, even the Spirit of God.