John Calvin Commentary 1 John 3:17

"But whoso hath the world`s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?" — 1 John 3:17 (ASV)

But whoever has this world’s good, or, If anyone has the world’s sustenance. He now speaks of the common duties of love, which flow from that chief foundation—that is, when we are prepared to serve our neighbors even to death. At the same time, he seems to reason from the greater to the less; for he who refuses to alleviate his brother’s need with his goods, while his own life is safe and secure, much less would he expose his life to danger for him. Then he denies that there is love in us if we withhold help from our neighbors. But he so recommends this external kindness that, at the same time, he very fitly expresses the right way of doing good and what kind of feeling we ought to have.

Let these, then, be the propositions he lays out:

1. First, that no one truly loves his brethren unless he really shows this whenever an occasion occurs.
2. Second, that as far as anyone has the means, he is to that extent bound to assist his brethren, for the Lord thus supplies us with the opportunity to exercise love.
3. Third, that everyone’s necessity ought to be attended to; for just as anyone needs food, drink, or other things of which we have an abundance, so he requires our aid.
4. Fourth, that no act of kindness, unless accompanied by sympathy, is pleasing to God.

There are many who appear generous, yet do not feel for the miseries of their brethren. But the Apostle requires that our bowels should be opened; this is done when we are endowed with such a feeling as to sympathize with others in their afflictions, just as if they were our own.

The love of God. Here he speaks of loving the brethren; why then does he mention the love of God? It is because this principle must be upheld: that the love of God will inevitably generate in us the love of the brethren. And thus God tests our love for Him when He commands us to love others out of regard for Himself, according to what is said in Psalm 16:2: My goodness reaches not to thee, but towards the saints who are on the earth is my will and my care.