1 John 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:16-18

Love others, for God hath loved thee! Connecting link: The great contrast has been presented between the love abiding in those who have passed from death unto life and the enmity abiding in the world. That hatred has been illustrated by a reference to Cain, and believers are told they must not be surprised if the murderous spirit still survives. The apostle then reverts to his favourite theme—love. He seems to say, "As for us, we have learnt a different lesson. We have come to know ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:16-18

The exhibition and obligation of true love. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us," etc. Our subject naturally divides itself into two main branches. I. THE EXHIBITION OF THE NATURE OF TRUE LOVE . "Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us." "The meaning is not," as Ebrard says, "wherein we (subjectively) have perceived love, but in what (objectively) the nature of love consists." 1 . It is of the nature of love... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:17

"But δέ if a man not only fails to do this, but even steadily contemplates θεωρῇ another's distress, and forthwith. "The world's goods" τὸν βίον τοῦ κόσμου is literally "the world's means of life" (see on 1 John 2:16 , and Trench on 'New Testament Synonyms,' for the difference between βίος and ζώη . (For τὰ σπλάγχνα as the seat of the affections, comp. Luke 1:78 ; 2 Corinthians 6:12 ; 2 Corinthians 7:15 ; Philippians 1:8 ; Philippians 2:1 ; Philippians... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:17

But whoso hath this world’s good - Has property - called “this world’s good,” or a good pertaining to this world, because it is of value to us only as it meets our wants this side of the grave; and perhaps also because it is sought supremely by the people of the world. The general meaning of this verse, in connection with the previous verse, is, that if we ought to be willing to lay down our lives for others, we ought to be willing to make those comparatively smaller sacrifices which are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:16-17

1 John 3:16-17. Hereby perceive we the love of God The word God is not in the original: it seems to be omitted by the apostle just as the name of Jesus is omitted by Mary, when she says to the gardener Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, &c., John 20:15; in which place there is a very emphatical language, even in silence. It declares how totally her thoughts were possessed by the blessed and glorious subject. It expresses also the superlative dignity and amiableness of the person... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:11-24

God’s children love one another (3:11-24)Since Christians do what is right and refuse what is wrong, their lives will be characterized by love. But the world will not respond kindly to their goodness, just as Cain did not respond kindly to Abel’s (11-12). When sinners are shamed by the uprightness of others, the outcome usually is that they hate them for it (13). Hate produces murder, and murder is obviously not a characteristic of the Christian (14-15).Those who have genuine love, instead of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 3:17

whoso = whoever. good = goods, or living. App-170 . Compare Luke 15:12 , Luke 15:30 . seeth . App-133 . bowels . Greek. splanchna. See Philemon 1:7 , Philemon 1:12 , Philemon 1:20 . from . App-104 . dwelleth. Same as "abide", 1 John 3:6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 John 3:17

But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?"This is a much more common and practical test, which all may be called upon to meet, Christian philanthropy."[38] A stingy Christian is a contradiction of terms. There is no use of one's imagining that he has the kind of love that would give up life for a brother, if the countless opportunities of aiding those in distress find no adequate response... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 John 3:17

1 John 3:17. Whoso hath this world's good, &c.— The common signification of the word βιος,— rendered good, is life; but it is used also for riches, or worldly subsistence;—for that which is the support of life. The heart and bowels are put for human affections, because they are moved and affected when we are touched with love, pity, compassion, &c. and men are represented as opening or shutting their hand, or heart, or bowels, as they are merciful and liberal, or otherwise. The real... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:17

17. this world's good—literally, "livelihood" or substance. If we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren ( :-), how much more ought we not to withhold our substance? seeth—not merely casually, but deliberately contemplates as a spectator; Greek, "beholds." shutteth up his bowels of compassion —which had been momentarily opened by the spectacle of his brother's need. The "bowels" mean the heart, the seat of compassion. how—How is it possible that "the love of (that is, 'to') God dwelleth... read more

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