Devine Scripture

1 John 3:11

What does 1 John 3:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 3:11 means

The call to mutual love is no novelty. It is the “message” heard “from the beginning”—from Christ’s own command and the gospel’s first instruction. Love for one another is Christianity’s native air, shaping how believers speak, serve, and forgive. In recalling the beginning, John roots love in the original, unchanging intent of God for His people. This is not an advanced elective but the basic course. When love fades, we have drifted from our first lesson. To recover it is to return to Christ’s heart and the apostolic foundation upon which the church was built.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because this is the word which was given to you from the first, that we are to have love for one another;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because this is the message that ye did hear from the beginning, that we may love one another,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For this is the declaration which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For this is the message which ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:

Context

Having set love as the decisive mark (verse 10), John now reminds his readers that this is the original message they received. This prepares for a contrast with Cain in verse 12, illustrating what love is not. The movement is pedagogical: state the principle (love one another), then teach by negative and positive examples. The reminder of the beginning echoes earlier themes in the letter and counters innovations introduced by false teachers. The flow will connect love with assurance of life (verse 14) and with concrete deeds (verses 16–18), showing love’s central role in Christian identity and confidence.

v.10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

v.11This passage

v.12not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 13:34

    A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:

  • Ephesians 5:2

    and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

  • John 15:12

    This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.

  • 1 John 1:5

    And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

  • 2 John 1:5

    And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

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