1 John 3:10
In 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.
Original Language Analysis
φανερά
manifest
G5318
φανερά
manifest
Strong's:
G5318
Word #:
3 of 30
shining, i.e., apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ,
God
G2316
Θεοῦ,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαβόλου·
of the devil
G1228
διαβόλου·
of the devil
Strong's:
G1228
Word #:
13 of 30
a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
16 of 30
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ποιῶν
doeth
G4160
ποιῶν
doeth
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
17 of 30
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
18 of 30
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
21 of 30
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ,
God
G2316
Θεοῦ,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
23 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
26 of 30
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 John 4:8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.1 John 4:21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.3 John 1:11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.Matthew 13:38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.1 John 4:6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.Ephesians 5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;John 8:47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.1 John 5:2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Historical Context
The concept of two families—God's children and the devil's children—reflects Jesus's own teaching (Matthew 13:38, John 8:42-44). First-century Judaism distinguished between faithful Israelites and pagans, but Jesus and the apostles taught that ethnic descent didn't determine spiritual family; regeneration does. This challenged Jewish assumptions about automatic covenant membership through Abrahamic lineage.
The emphasis on loving "his brother" refers primarily to fellow believers, the Christian community. In the Johannine context, "brother" denoted spiritual siblings in God's family. This wasn't excluding love for outsiders (which Jesus commanded, Matthew 5:44) but highlighting that those who despise fellow believers demonstrate they're not truly born of God. The early church's radical love for one another attracted pagan notice ("see how they love one another").
Questions for Reflection
- What observable patterns in your life demonstrate whether you're a child of God or a child of the devil?
- How can you distinguish between occasional failures to love and the habitual lovelessness that indicates unregenerate status?
- Why is love for fellow believers specifically highlighted as evidence of genuine salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
In 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. John presents two tests distinguishing God's children from the devil's. "In this are manifest" (en toutō phanera estin)—what follows makes visible and identifiable the two spiritual families. The first test: "whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God" (pas ho mē poiōn dikaiosunēn ouk estin ek tou theou). Habitual unrighteousness proves absence of genuine regeneration.
The second test adds a specific application: "neither he that loveth not his brother" (ho mē agapōn ton adelphon autou). Lack of love for fellow believers demonstrates one is not God's child. This introduces the major theme of verses 11-24—brotherly love as evidence of salvation. The present participles ("doeth," "loveth") indicate habitual character, not isolated failures. We all occasionally fail to love perfectly, but those who characteristically lack love for Christians reveal they're unregenerate.
These tests provide assurance and warning. Assurance: if you practice righteousness and love believers, you have evidence of genuine faith. Warning: if you live in unrighteousness and lovelessness, examine whether you truly know Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5). The children of God and children of the devil are distinguished not by claims or feelings but by observable patterns of righteousness and love.