1 John 3:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 3:11-13

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, or antiquity, or primariness of the injunction relating thereto: And this is the message (the errand or charge) which you heard from the beginning (this came among the principal parts of practical Christianity), that we should love one another, 1 John 3:11. We should love the Lord Jesus, and value his love,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 3:10-18

3:10-18 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are made plain; anyone who does not do righteousness is not of God, and neither is he who does not love his brother, because the message that we have heard from the beginning is the message that we should love one another, that we should not be like Cain, who was of the Evil One and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his works were evil and his brother's works were just. Do not be surprised, brothers, if the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 3:10-18

In this passage there is a parenthesis; we return to it now. The parenthesis is 1 John 3:11 and the conclusion drawn from it is in 1 John 3:12 . The Christian must not be like Cain who murdered his brother. John goes on to ask why Cain murdered his brother; and his answer is that it was because his works were evil and his brother's were good. Then he drops the remark: "Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you." An evil man will instinctively hate a good man.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:12

Not as Cain ,.... That is, let us not be like him, or do as he did, hate the brethren. The apostle illustrates brotherly love by its contrary, in the instance of Cain, who was the first instance and example of hatred of the brethren, and of fratricide, and a very detestable one, by which he would dissuade from so vile and abominable a practice: who was of that wicked one ; Satan, a child of his, an imitator of him, one that appeared to be under his influence, and to belong unto him. So... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:12

Not as Cain - Men should not act to each other as Cain did to his brother Abel. He murdered him because he was better than himself. But who was Cain? Εκ του πονηρου ην , he was of the devil. And who are they who, through pride, lust of power, ambition, gain, etc., murder each other in wars and political contentions? Εκ του πονηρου εισι . To attempt to justify the principle, and excuse the instigators, authors, abettors, etc., of such wars, is as vain as it is wicked. They are opposed to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:12

Verse 12 12Not as Cain This is another confirmation, taken from what is contrary; for in the reprobate and the children of the devil hatred reigns, and it holds, as it were, the chief place in their life; and he brings forward Cain as an instance. It served in the meantime to give them consolation, as he at length concluded by saying, Marvel not, if the world hate you. This explanation ought to be carefully noticed, for men ever blunder as to the way of living, because they make holiness to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:1-12

Righteousness and sin in relation to children of God. I. RIGHTEOUSNESS INSEPARABLE FROM BEING CHILDREN OF GOD . 1 . -Present inner nature. 2 . Future glory. 3 . Action in view of the future. "And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he [that One] is pure." The future glory is a matter of hope to us, arising out of our present consciousness of sonship, our present experience of assimilation to God. It is a hope that rests for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:1-24

(1) The evidence of sonship. Righteousness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:4-12

Sin is absolutely incompatible with Christ's work of redemption and our union with him ( 1 John 3:4-8 ), and also with being born of God, as is shown by the presence or absence of brotherly love ( 1 John 3:9-12 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:4-12

Sinning in every way incompatible with the Christian life. Connecting link: The apostle had just said that every one with the Christian hope would purify himself" as Christ the Lord is pure." As if to guard this absolutely universal statement, "every one," against the possibility of question, he goes on to illustrate the varied aspects of sin—in its bearing on law; as regards the Person and work of Christ; as related to the new life of the children of God; and with reference to the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 3:11-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 3:10-18

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 3:10-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:4-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:4-12

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