Devine Scripture

1 John 3:23

What does 1 John 3:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 3:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 3:23 means

John gathers God’s will into a single “commandment” with two inseparable parts: believe “in the name of his Son Jesus Christ,” and “love one another.” Faith in Jesus’ person and saving work is the fountain; love is the stream it produces. To believe in His name is to entrust oneself to who He is—the Son of God—and what He has done. To love one another is to reflect His love within the family of God. This summary shows that Christian obedience is fundamentally Christ-centered and relational. True faith is never loveless, and true love is never detached from faith in Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And this is his law, that we have faith in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love for one another, even as he said to us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and this is His command, that we may believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and may love one another, even as He did give command to us,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And this is his commandment: That we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as he hath given commandment unto us.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love one another, even as he has given us commandment.

Context

After linking prayer with obedience (verse 22), John specifies the core command. This crystallizes the letter’s themes: right belief about Jesus Christ and genuine love for fellow believers. It recalls the message from the beginning (verse 11) and the earlier Christology that counters false teachers. The flow now moves to verse 24, where keeping this commandment is tied to mutual abiding and the Spirit’s witness. Thus, faith and love are not abstract ideals but the pathway into experiential communion with God and assurance by His Spirit.

v.22and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

v.23This passage

v.24And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:15

    Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:

  • Matthew 22:39

    And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

  • 1 John 2:8

    Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.

  • 1 John 4:21

    And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:9

    But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

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