1 John 3:14

Authorized King James Version

PDF

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Original Language Analysis

ἡμεῖς we G2249
ἡμεῖς we
Strong's: G2249
Word #: 1 of 23
we (only used when emphatic)
οἴδαμεν We know G1492
οἴδαμεν We know
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 2 of 23
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι because G3754
ὅτι because
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 3 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μεταβεβήκαμεν have passed G3327
μεταβεβήκαμεν have passed
Strong's: G3327
Word #: 4 of 23
to change place
ἐκ from G1537
ἐκ from
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 5 of 23
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 #: 6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θανάτῳ death G2288
θανάτῳ death
Strong's: G2288
Word #: 7 of 23
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
εἰς unto G1519
εἰς unto
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 8 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ζωήν, life G2222
ζωήν, life
Strong's: G2222
Word #: 10 of 23
life (literally or figuratively)
ὅτι because G3754
ὅτι because
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 11 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀγαπῶν He that loveth G25
ἀγαπῶν He that loveth
Strong's: G25
Word #: 12 of 23
to love (in a social or moral sense)
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφόν, his brother G80
ἀδελφόν, his brother
Strong's: G80
Word #: 14 of 23
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 16 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀγαπῶν He that loveth G25
ἀγαπῶν He that loveth
Strong's: G25
Word #: 17 of 23
to love (in a social or moral sense)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφόν, his brother G80
ἀδελφόν, his brother
Strong's: G80
Word #: 19 of 23
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
μένει abideth G3306
μένει abideth
Strong's: G3306
Word #: 20 of 23
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 21 of 23
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θανάτῳ death G2288
θανάτῳ death
Strong's: G2288
Word #: 23 of 23
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. John provides assurance of salvation based on the evidence of love. "We know" (hēmeis oidamen) expresses certain knowledge, not mere hope or feeling. "That we have passed from death unto life" (hoti metabebēkamen ek tou thanatou eis tēn zōēn)—the perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results. Conversion is a decisive transition from the state of spiritual death to spiritual life.

The evidence: "because we love the brethren" (hoti agapōmen tous adelphous). The present tense indicates habitual, characteristic love. This isn't claiming perfect love but a genuine pattern of loving fellow believers. Love is both the evidence that we've passed to life and the result of that new life. We don't earn salvation by loving; rather, salvation produces love as inevitable fruit.

The negative: "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (ho mē agapōn ton adelphon menei en tō thanatō). The present tenses indicate continuing states—ongoing lovelessness means remaining in death. This person never passed from death to life; they remain in their unregenerate state. This stark statement echoes Jesus's parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46), where treatment of Christ's brethren reveals one's relationship to Christ.

Historical Context

The language of passing from death to life recalls Jesus's teaching in John 5:24: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." This transition occurs at conversion through faith. John emphasizes that this invisible spiritual transaction has visible behavioral evidence—love for fellow believers.

The phrase "abideth in death" would have resonated with Jewish understanding of spiritual death. Before Christ, all humanity was dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Regeneration brings life. Those who lack love's evidence have never been made alive, regardless of their profession. This challenged false professors in the early church who claimed Christian identity without transformation.

Questions for Reflection