1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Original Language Analysis
ἐγνώκαμεν
perceive we
G1097
ἐγνώκαμεν
perceive we
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
3 of 22
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπην
the love
G26
ἀγάπην
the love
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
5 of 22
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ὅτι
of God because
G3754
ὅτι
of God because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκεῖνος
he
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
he
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
7 of 22
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
8 of 22
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὰς
life
G5590
ψυχὰς
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
11 of 22
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τιθέναι
laid down
G5087
τιθέναι
laid down
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
13 of 22
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀφείλομεν
ought
G3784
ὀφείλομεν
ought
Strong's:
G3784
Word #:
16 of 22
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
17 of 22
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφῶν
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφῶν
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
19 of 22
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Romans 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:Matthew 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Historical Context
John writes to churches where persecution made martyrdom real possibility. Some believers had already died for their faith; others faced that prospect. The command to 'lay down lives' wasn't theoretical but practical: will you protect your brother at risk of your own life? Will you share scarce resources though it means personal deprivation? Will you maintain fellowship with persecuted believers though association brings danger? Early Christian communities modeled this sacrificial love: caring for widows and orphans, ransoming imprisoned believers, refusing to apostatize even under torture. Roman authorities and pagan observers noted this peculiar Christian love with both puzzlement and grudging admiration. Pliny the Younger wrote to Emperor Trajan noting Christians' commitment to mutual aid. Tertullian quoted pagans saying, 'See how these Christians love one another.' This love wasn't natural human affection but supernatural agapē enabled by the indwelling Spirit.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'laying down your life' for fellow believers look like in your context (likely not literal martyrdom but real sacrifice)?
- How does meditating on Christ laying down His life for you motivate and enable sacrificial love for others?
- Are there fellow believers whose needs require sacrificial response from you right now?
Analysis & Commentary
John defines authentic love by pointing to its ultimate demonstration. 'Hereby perceive we the love of God' (ἐν τούτῳ ἐγνώκαμεν τὴν ἀγάπην, en toutō egnōkamen tēn agapēn) uses perfect tense—we have come to know and continue to know love's nature. The defining moment follows: 'because he laid down his life for us' (ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἔθηκεν, hoti ekeinos hyper hēmōn tēn psychēn autou ethēken). Ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos, that one) refers emphatically to Christ. The verb τίθημι (tithēmi, lay down) indicates voluntary, deliberate action—Christ wasn't murdered; He gave His life. Ὑπέρ (hyper, for/on behalf of) indicates substitution—He died in our place. The application follows: 'and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren' (καὶ ἡμεῖς ὀφείλομεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν τὰς ψυχὰς θεῖναι, kai hēmeis opheilomen hyper tōn adelphōn tas psychas theinai). Ὀφείλομεν (opheilomen, we ought) expresses moral obligation, debt—because Christ died for us, we owe sacrificial love to others. This doesn't mean atoning death (Christ's was unique) but willingness to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for fellow believers. Christian love isn't sentiment but costly self-sacrifice.