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By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
Verse Takeaways
1
Love Defined by Action
Commentators explain that this verse provides the ultimate definition of love. Many note the original Greek simply says, "By this we know love," showing that true love is not an abstract feeling but is understood through Christ's concrete, sacrificial action. His death for us is the perfect demonstration and standard of what agape love truly is.
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1 John
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12
18th Century
Presbyterian
Hereby perceive we the love of God. The words "of God" are not in the original and should not have been introduced into the trans…
Know we (εγνωκαμεν). Perfect active indicative, "we have come to know and still know." See 2:3 for "hereby" (εν τουτω).
19th Century
Anglican
BROTHERLY LOVE THE NECESSARY FLOWER OF THE DIVINE LOVE IN THE DIVINE BIRTH (1 John 3:11–18).—In 1 John 2:10, St. Joh…
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Baptist
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
The test of true love is identified as willingness to sacrifice one’s life for one’s brother. The demonstrative “this” that begins the statement po…
16th Century
Protestant
Hereby perceive we, or, By this we know. He now shows what true love is; for it would not have been enough to commend it, unless …
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Hereby perceive we the love [of God] The phrase "of God" is not in the Oriental versions, nor in the Greek copies, b…
Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of Divine love: that God would redeem the church with his own blood. Surely we should love thos…
