1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
whoso
G3739
ὃς
whoso
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 30
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχοντα
hath
G2192
ἔχοντα
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
4 of 30
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βίον
good
G979
βίον
good
Strong's:
G979
Word #:
6 of 30
life, i.e., (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
this world's
G2889
κόσμου
this world's
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
8 of 30
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
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
θεωρῇ
seeth
G2334
θεωρῇ
seeth
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
10 of 30
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
12 of 30
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 30
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
χρείαν
need
G5532
χρείαν
need
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
14 of 30
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
ἔχοντα
hath
G2192
ἔχοντα
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
15 of 30
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 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 #:
18 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπλάγχνα
bowels
G4698
σπλάγχνα
bowels
Strong's:
G4698
Word #:
19 of 30
an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 30
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
ἀπ'
of compassion from
G575
ἀπ'
of compassion from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
21 of 30
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 30
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
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
23 of 30
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη
the love
G26
ἀγάπη
the love
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
25 of 30
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ
of God
G2316
Θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
27 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Hebrews 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.1 John 4:20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?Luke 3:11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.James 2:15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.1 John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.Proverbs 12:10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Historical Context
The early church practiced radical generosity. Acts describes believers selling possessions to meet others' needs (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37). Paul organized collections from Gentile churches for impoverished Jerusalem believers (Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 8-9). This economic sharing demonstrated love's reality and the church's unity across ethnic and geographic boundaries.
The Greco-Roman world had patron-client relationships involving reciprocal obligations, but Christian charity was different—giving without expectation of return, motivated by God's grace, meeting needs regardless of recipients' status. This practical love authenticated the gospel and attracted converts. John's teaching here reflects this early Christian ethic—faith, love, and generosity are inseparable.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific needs of fellow believers are you currently aware of, and how are you responding with tangible help?
- How can you tell the difference between wise stewardship and shutting up your compassion toward needy brothers?
- If the genuineness of God's love in you is evidenced by practical generosity, what does your current giving pattern reveal?
Analysis & Commentary
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? John provides a practical test of love's genuineness. "Whoso hath this world's good" (hos d' an echē ton bion tou kosmou)—bios (βίος) means life resources, material possessions necessary for living. This addresses those with means, not destitute believers unable to help others.
"And seeth his brother have need" (kai theōrē ton adelphon autou chreian echonta)—the present tense indicates awareness of ongoing need. "And shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him" (kai kleisē ta splagchna autou ap' autou)—splagchna (σπλάγχνα) literally means intestines or internal organs, metaphorically the seat of emotions and compassion. To shut one's bowels is to close one's heart, refusing to feel or act on compassion.
"How dwelleth the love of God in him?" (pōs hē agapē tou theou menei en autō)—the rhetorical question expects the answer "It doesn't." The phrase "love of God" could mean either love for God or God's love dwelling in the person; likely both are implied. One who refuses to help needy brothers demonstrates that neither love for God nor God's love abides within. This echoes James 2:15-16—faith without works is dead. Genuine love produces tangible actions, especially meeting fellow believers' physical needs.