Albert Barnes Commentary 1 John 3:18

"[My] Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth." — 1 John 3:18 (ASV)

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue. By mere profession; by merely saying that we love each other. See 1 Peter 1:22.

But in deed and in truth. In such acts as shall show that our professed love is sincere and real. Let us do the deed of love, whether anything is said about it or not. See Barnes on Matthew 6:3.

"Little children," "My children," "let us": Ezekiel 33:31; Romans 12:9; James 2:15–16; 1 Peter 1:22.