Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does 1st John Chapter 3 mean?

Chapter 3 further discusses the importance of being a child of God and living accordingly (3:1–10). A major implication of being a child of God is that we are to love one another (3:11–24).

First John 3:1–10 can be further subdivided into two main sections. Verses 1 through 3 focus on God’s love, and how that love results in believers becoming children of God. The second section begins in verse 4, which notes “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness…” Verse 6, “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning…” In other words, true fellowship with God cannot result in ongoing sinful living without repentance. A saved believer will experience conviction, which is meant to lead to a return to God, asking for forgiveness and a restored fellowship with Christ (1 John 1:9–10).

The second main section of the chapter is in verses 11 through 24. Here, John focuses on love for one another (1 John 3:11). This passage consists of three main parts. Verses 11 through 15 focus on the love believers should have for one another. Verses 16 through 18 describe loving one another by our actions. Verses 19 through 24 discuss whether our hearts condemn us or not. First John 3:21 notes, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” When we have confessed our sins and abide (remain) in Christ, we can ask for anything according to His will and receive it (1 John 3:22).

The final two verses also offer an important reminder. John again focuses on love for God through Jesus as well as loving one another, offering teaching closely similar to the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37–40.

These verses also highlight the triune nature of God. John mentions God twice in verse 24, the Son Jesus Christ in verse 23, and the Spirit in verse 24. All three persons of the triune Godhead are distinct, yet serve in perfect community as the one true God.

Chapter Context
Chapters 1 and 2 introduced the stark differences between those who truly have fellowship with Christ, as opposed to those who are ”in darkness.” Chapter 3 continues this discussion, with a particular emphasis on love. This serves as a bridge, between John’s descriptions of lives lived abiding either in darkness or light, to an explanation of how God’s faithfulness gives us confidence as Christian believers.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Verses 1 through 3 focus on God’s love, and how His love results in believers becoming children of God. Becoming a child of God is seen as a great sign of love from God the Father. John specifically mentions that believers are not only “called children of God;” believers truly are God’s children. This theme closely connects with the words of John 1:12: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” God’s children are those who both receive Jesus as Lord and believe in His name as the risen Messiah.

John highlights this concept using the Greek term ideate, meaning, “look at this!” The idea that God would love us enough to make us His children is just one of the amazing aspects of the gospel.

John then notes why unbelievers do not “know” believers: Unbelievers do not know Christ. As used by John, the concept of “knowing” involves more than just information. It refers to a sense of intimacy, fellowship, and connection. The unbelieving world does not have a relationship with Christ. Therefore, they have no relationship with His children. God’s children are to become increasingly like the Father, regardless of whether others recognize us.

Context Summary
First John 3:1–3 highlights the amazing love God has for us. Not only is He willing to call us His children, we actually are His children. Some of that transformation is immediate, but not everything we will be has been revealed, yet. Only when Christ returns will we see everything He has in store for us. John also connects a relationship with Christ to ”pure” living.

Verse 2. Beloved, we are God ‘s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

John next refers to his readers as his “beloved,” or dear ones. Being a child of God is not a future event for the believer; we are His children from the point when we believe into eternity future (John 1:12). In addition, our future has not yet completely been revealed. In eternity with the Lord, believers will experience a new body and exist forever in God’s presence, in a way far superior to our lives today. Some of this is simply impossible for us to understand; certain things will only be “revealed” to us once Christ appears to bring us home.

John anticipates this appearing will take place at any moment. Believers will see God “as He is” at that time and become like Him. John’s words appear to closely connect with passages associated with the rapture, such as 1 Corinthians 15:50–58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. Jesus will appear, believers will see Him, receive a new body, and be with the Lord forever.

It is critical to notice John’s point that we are not yet what we will be. John’s warnings about sin and fellowship, like the rest of Scripture, recognize that even saved believers will not be perfect. The expected result of salvation is a life that grows to become more and more like Christ—but this does not mean an immediate change to perfection. God loves us enough to forgive our sins (1 John 2:1–2), and to help us overcome them (1 John 2:14; 1 John 4:4).

Verse 3. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Because believers have hope, and anticipate being with Jesus for eternity, they pursue a pure life. The goal of living a pure life is to be like Christ. He is pure, and believers seek to live like Him. This lays groundwork for comments John will make later in this chapter, depicting sin as incompatible with fellowship in Christ.

Purity is a strong theme in the New Testament. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Paul sought to present believers as a “pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). Believers are to “be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10). First Peter 3:2 speaks of the “pure conduct” a believer should pursue, which stands out to unbelievers. To be pure is to be free from sin, to live increasingly like Christ in a world filled with evil. Those who do can look forward to heaven rather than fear future judgment.

Verse 4. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

In contrast with the purity described in verse 3, John labels the “practice of sinning” as “lawlessness.” This is strong, spiritually-loaded terminology. In the Bible, those who do not know Christ are called “workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). Unbelievers are marked by lawlessness (Matthew 23:28), and will increase in the end times (Matthew 24:12). Lawlessness was associated with those who broke the Law of Moses (the Torah) and were therefore sinners.

Romans 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:14 also describe unbelievers as those involved in lawlessness. In the last days, the Antichrist, a man of lawlessness, will come (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12). Christ, however, gave Himself “to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).

At the very least, John is dispelling the claim that the gospel is a license to sin. Much as Paul does in the books of Romans and Galatians, John indicates that a true walk with Christ leads a person to sin less. Sin is sin, and even though believers are capable of sinning, the presence of Christ means they cannot do so lightly.

The false teachers John spoke against likely had a weak view of sin, considering holiness unimportant. John clearly notes that those who know God will seek to live for Him, including a life that increasingly flees from sin and follows the teachings of Christ.

Context Summary
First John 3:4–10 strongly condemns sin, and leaves no excuse for it. While this warning is often interpreted as a ”litmus test” for salvation, John’s specific audience is actually Christian believers. Salvation is no excuse for sin, because all sin is from the Devil, not God. Sin always disrupts our ”walk” with God. And, those who only walk in sin and darkness cannot claim to be children of God.

Verse 5. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

Three important truths are noted in this verse. First, that Jesus appeared; earlier verses in 1 John specify that this was in a real, flesh-and-blood form. While false teachers may argue Jesus never came as a human, believers accept the coming of Jesus to this world, called the incarnation, as an essential part of the faith (John 1:1–14).

Second, Jesus had a clear purpose for coming to this world. He did not come to merely make us better. His mission was to remove the power of sin from our lives. He did so by paying the price of our evil actions on the cross. Christ’s sacrifice is the only one sufficient to pay the price for every sin, once and for all.

This is explained in John’s third area of emphasis, that there is no sin whatsoever in Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 echoes this teaching, noting, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Verse 6. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

Two important truths are revealed in this brief verse. First, John has already defined those who “abide:” believers who walk in fellowship with Jesus Christ. Here, he adds that no one who continually sins does so as a result of a relationship with Christ. The typical interpretation of this passage is that a person who continually or repeatedly sins is an unbeliever, whereas a believer can sin, but only on occasion. While this is possible, the specific context is about the results of a relationship with Christ. True fellowship with Christ cannot result in sin—this is part of John’s defense against the claim that the gospel gives people an excuse to do wrong.

The general context of this passage, and the rest of Scripture, is that a believer is marked by a changed life. A believer’s life will involve some level of growth, known as “sanctification,” and is expected to be noticeably different from that of an unbeliever. Of course, how much a person grows in their relationship is up to them, so a lack of spiritual maturity is in no means a test for salvation.

However, the person whose life does not change—who shows no change from their former life, or a distinction between them and the unbelieving world—reveals he or she has not seen or known Jesus. Though every believer is a work in progress, every believer’s life should show a noticeable difference in living a life that becomes more like Christ. If a person’s life is no different than that of a non-believer, there is no reason to be confident they are a true believer.

Verse 7. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

John again refers to his readers as “little children,” a term he uses seven times in this letter in reference to believers. Jesus also referred to His followers as little children (John 13:33). They are warned not to be deceived. False teachers were spreading dangerous and phony spiritual claims. This is why John speaks in such strong terms throughout this letter.

A believer who is truly walking with Christ will practice what is right, just like Jesus did. Ultimately, we cannot know for certain the spiritual condition of others (1 Samuel 16:7). We can judge behaviors. However, as far as this principle is concerned, there is no need to judge another’s salvation. In fact, we should be careful about making such judgments in the first place. Regardless of what their spiritual state is, if a person lives contrary to the teachings of Jesus, they are not “in fellowship” with God and are not to be listened to or followed. False teachers have existed throughout the church’s history, even as early as when John wrote his letters.

Verse 8. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Again as in verses 6—7, John emphasizes that those who live in consistent, habitual sin have no fellowship with Christ. In fact, John clearly states that all sin is from the Devil; it can never be from a relationship with Christ. All sin, in all forms, is from Satan. This verse is frequently interpreted as a warning to unbelievers, whose lives are marked with habitual, unrepentant sin. The specific context, however, is to Christians. As Paul does in Romans and Galatians, John seems to be refuting the claim that the gospel gives Christians a license to sin.

Christians are not supposed to submit to our sin natures. John points out that Jesus appeared to destroy the Devil’s works. This teaching closely reflects Hebrews 2:14: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Believers are to resist the devil (James 4:7), who will eventually receive his proper judgment (Revelation 20:10).

Verse 9. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God ‘s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

John continues his teaching on the topic of those who continue in sin. This is most often interpreted as a warning that such people are not believers. While this seems to agree with the general sense of Scripture, John’s advice here is actually being targeted specifically at believers. In particular, that there is no excuse for sin in the life of a believer. Grace is a not a license to sin. Those who sin without remorse, conviction, or change have no relationship with Christ whatsoever. But even a saved Christian has to choose good over evil.

In this verse, the emphasis is on the one “born of God.” God lives in the believer and the believer can therefore no longer live the same life as prior to becoming God’s child. Though believers continue to sin, they will be changed more into the likeness of Christ. God’s children are expected to reflect his characteristics to some degree. Again, the emphasis is not on perfection, but likeness. An unchanged person is not a true believer. A true believer cannot help but live differently because God lives within them.

Verse 10. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

John summarizes his teachings in verses 1 through 9 with two characteristics. First, a person who does not “practice righteousness” is not from God. In other words, a believer will seek to live according to God’s ways. They may fail, sometimes miserably (Psalm 51:1–4), but they will not persist in deliberately “walking” in darkness.

This is the general position of the Bible, and John’s letter supports that notion. At the same time, his specific audience is the Christian believer. It is possible for Christians to sin, and all sin involves rejecting God in favor of Satan. This does not mean salvation can be lost. It does mean that certain attitudes or actions can never be excused for the saved believer. A person who does not love other believers fails to show the primary sign of the faith: love (John 13:35). Believers are brothers and sisters in Christ and are children of God. A believer’s top goals are to fully love God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37–40). Those who show no desire to love others, especially their fellow believers, cannot truly claim to be a child of God.

Verse 11. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

John begins a new section with a positive reminder about love. “The beginning” likely refers to when his readers first heard the gospel message. John 13:34–35 offers the first time Jesus made this statement: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus mentions this command to “love one another” again in John 15:12 and 17. Paul mentions its importance in Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:9. Peter notes believers are to “love one another” in 1 Peter 1:22. John develops this theme throughout this chapter (1 John 3:11, 23) as well as the next (1 John 4:7, 11, 12), mentioning it again in 2 John 1:5.

The fact that John directs this statement to those who have heard this message already is an important piece of context. The points raised in the previous section are important in examining one’s own faith, but—technically—they are warnings given to saved believers.

Context Summary
First John 3:11–18 describes the contrast between hate and love, and how love ought to be seen in the life of a Christian believer. Evil has a jealous hatred for good. This is why Cain killed Abel, and why hatred is considered the spiritual equivalent to murder. Christians are expected to do more than feel love, they are commanded to act on it, in selfless sacrifice.

Verse 12. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother ‘s righteous.

In contrast with loving one another in verse 11, John brings up the example of the first murderer, Cain. Cain recognized God (Genesis 4), but did not follow Him. Instead, Cain showed that he did not love God by killing his brother. Hatred for one’s brother—spiritually speaking—was already condemned as Satanic in 1 John 2:9. There is no sin which a Christian is not somehow capable of, but those who persist in “walking in darkness” cannot reasonably be considered saved.

This verse also asks and answers the question of why Cain killed his brother: jealous resentment, since Abel’s offerings were more acceptable than Cain’s. Jealousy and hatred towards one’s brothers and sisters is “of the evil one.” Cain’s offering was evil in some way, likely because he did not offer his best before the Lord. Abel’s offering was considered righteous. John uses this contrast to show the difference between attitudes motivated by God, and those motivated by Satan. Hatred for the good that others do is absolutely evil, and a sign of someone lacking fellowship with Christ.

Verse 13. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

John extends his discussion of hate from verse 12. John’s audience, apparently, was already experiencing some level of persecution. While some considered this persecution a surprise, John warned them to expect it. His teaching reflects Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:12: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” The reason for this persecution is the same reason Cain killed Abel: because the world is evil and it hates goodness. There is a hateful jealousy in sin, which despises seeing others do what is right.

Jesus taught, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Such people will be rewarded (Matthew 5:12). Jesus also taught, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). As opposed to the claim that salvation will make all of our earthly trouble vanish, the gospel implies that loving God means being hated by the world.

Verse 14. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

John next adds a key line of evidence that a person has moved from the realm of evil into the realm of God: love. John and his readers loved one another. The Greek root word translated here as “love” is agape. The term implies a selfless, self-sacrificing love focused on other people. Those who exhibit this kind of love give strong evidence to support that they are true believers.

In contrast, John taught that a lack of love is a sign of “abiding” in death. This concept of “abiding” is important, as the intended audience of this letter is Christian believers. Hatred, according to Jesus, is the spiritual equivalent to murder (Matthew 5:21–22). Christians are certainly capable of feeling hate, but such feelings are never the product of fellowship with Christ. As John words it, anyone who hates “abides in death.” At the very least, this is serious sin. It is also a possible indication that the person has never had a relationship with Christ, at all.

Verse 15. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

John’s words in this verse have led to much controversy. Some have interpreted this to mean that anyone who has committed murder cannot become a Christian. Or, that they never were a Christian. Or that feeling hate towards a fellow Christian is an absolute sign of being lost without Christ.

The context provides a different solution. In verse 12, John has just warned believers, “We should not be like Cain.” Cain murdered his brother because of his own evil deeds. Verse 15 builds on this idea. The person who hates his brother is, like Cain, a murderer. Such a person is not “abiding” in eternal life (1 John 2:9, 11). Under no circumstances can a Christian excuse hatred for another believer: such attitudes are entirely from the Devil. Those who persist in such attitudes, more likely than not, have no relationship with Christ at all.

John will build on this further in 1 John 4:20, adding, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Love is not merely a feeling, it is a choice to act. Hatred is always an act of disobedience to God.

Verse 16. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

In contrast to the person who hates or murders (1 John 3:15), the ultimate sign of love is to lay down one’s life for others. Jesus gave the supreme example of this kind of love by giving His own life on behalf of the sins of the world (John 3:16; Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the ultimate example of how we ought to live our lives (John 13:15–17).

But what does it look like to lay down our life for the brothers? John certainly had in mind more than physical death, though this could certainly apply. Verses 17 and 18 add additional details about how to help others in need, and to show that God’s love abides in us (1 John 3:17). This includes helping those in need through actions and truth (1 John 3:18). God desires believers to both know the word and live it out (James 1:22), not merely to “feel” love and not act to benefit other people (Matthew 15:4–9).

Verse 17. But if anyone has the world ‘s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God ‘s love abide in him?

John next offers a direct application to show God’s love abides in the believer, in the form of a question. This involves a person who has more than enough to meet his or her own needs, but who chooses to be hard-hearted, failing to meet the other person’s need. Keeping material things for ourselves, beyond our needs, while brothers or sisters suffer shows a lack of love. A believer in Christ should have concern for the needs of others, and not merely in an emotional sense.

John was a student of John the Baptist before following Jesus (John 1:35–39). The application he gives here in verse 17 is very similar to the teaching of John the Baptist, that someone with two shirts should give one to the person who has none (Luke 3:11).

Here again is the concept of “abiding.” Christians are still capable of sin, so it’s possible for a believer to be stingy, cold-hearted, or unloving. But this is a sign of someone not “abiding” in Christ. That attitude is never the product of fellowship with Jesus. Cold-heartedness or hatred are always signs of spiritual failure.

Verse 18. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Following his application in verse 17, John summarizes the need for Christians to act on love, not just think about it. It is important to communicate love through our words, but we must also do so through our actions. Jesus gave a similar warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:4–9. Just as truly saving faith will produce good works (James 2:17–19), truly loving another person will produce loving actions. This verse once again uses the Greek root word agape, meaning a selfless, sacrificial love.

Jesus not only spoke about love, He provided powerful actions to match His teachings. John 13 offers a clear example in which Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to teach them to serve one another in humility. His death on the cross offered the most powerful evidence of love “in deed and in truth.” He endured suffering, ridicule, and death from those who should have recognized Him as the Messiah. Yet His actions also included His resurrection, offering love in action that changed the course of history.

Verse 19. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;

This verse offers the first part of a statement which continues through the next verse. The opening of John’s sentence offers two insights. First, what John is about to say, in verse 20, will help a believer know he or she is acting according to the truth of the gospel. Second, his statement will provide reassurance to the believer’s heart, in those times when we feel conviction of sin.

First John 5:13 will provide a summary statement regarding a person’s ability to know, for certain, that they are a believer in Christ. This particular verse, 1 John 3:19, reassures believers: when they act in love, it is proof that they are “abiding” in the life that Christ wants for us (John 10:10).

The concept of reassurance is also tied to verse 20, which explains how Christians ought to respond to conviction of sin. Rather than seeing conviction as a reason to despair, saved believers can rest assured that God will forgive us (1 John 2:1).

Context Summary
First John 3:19–24 concludes chapter three by connecting our confidence in prayer with our obedience to God. While God’s love is unconditional, and His salvation is secure, His approval is based on whether or not we obey Him. Feelings of conviction are not only a sign that we are truly His children, they give us opportunity to correct our behavior. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, love is not only a primary command, it is a key sign of Christian belief.

Verse 20. for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

This verse provides the second half of John’s statement, which began in verse 19. Here, the focus is on conviction of sin. The believer will be convicted when he or she does something wrong. Why? God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is “greater than our heart” and “knows everything.” When we sin, the Spirit convicts us of the wrong and causes us to desire to change to live for God.

Further, this verse reminds us that God knows our motives, since He “knows everything.” There is no hiding our feelings or sins from Him. Rather than this being a danger, the believer can take comfort that God lovingly understands our heart, good and bad. Yet, we also experience an uncomfortable self-judgment when we sin. In fact, true salvation results in a person being more sensitive to sin than they were before, since they experience conviction through the Holy Spirit.

Verse 21. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

When we have a clear conscience, we can have great confidence before God. Our confidence in His love is unconditional, and for all people (John 3:16), regardless of what we do. But the confidence we have in God’s approval is conditional. We must be in fellowship with God—we must “abide in” Him—before we can have confidence in that aspect of our relationship with Him. God will only “approve” those things which are according to His will (Romans 2:7–11). Based on the information John has given so far in this letter, we can gauge whether or not we are living according to the will of God. And, when we realize we’ve fallen short, we can rest in God’s knowledge and forgiveness (1 John 2:1).

John emphasizes confidence in other places in this letter. In 1 John 2:8, he wants believers to seek reasons for confidence, instead of shame. In 1 John 4:17, John notes that the work of God’s love in us gives us confidence under His judgment. Likewise, we can have confidence that God hears our prayers (1 John 5:14). A close walk with God leads to a humble confidence, which leads to bold prayer and looking forward to the return of Christ.

Verse 22. and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

Godly confidence leads to a bold prayer life. This does not mean we can demand anything, as though God were a cosmic vending machine. However, we will receive everything we ask for in agreement with God’s will. There is a two-way relationship at work here. The more a person understands the will of God, the more likely it is that their prayers will be attuned to His plans.

Further, effective prayer is based on two aspects of Christian living. First, a strong prayer life is based on obedience: “because we keep his commandments.”

Second, a strong prayer life is based on pleasing God: “do what pleases him.” The believer who lives obediently can expect an exciting prayer life. For example, Moses was a man who walked closely with God. The Lord worked through his life to answer many prayers that included miracles and clear signs of God at work. Yet many forget that his close walk with God was based on a life of obedience that pleased the Lord. Those who wish to see bold prayers answered must also live in obedience—”abiding” in Him.

Verse 23. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Two important commandments are given in this verse. First is the essential gospel message of belief in Christ. John 3:16 offers a similar teaching from Jesus Himself. Rather than a list of hundreds of commandments no one could adequately fulfill, Jesus said, first and foremost, we are to believe in His name. This confident trust in Jesus is not only a requirement for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9), it is necessary for prayer to be effective (John 14:12–14).

Second, John teaches the importance of Jesus’ marching orders to all believers, to “love one another, just as he has commanded us.” This is found in John 13:34, as well as John 15:12 and John 15:17. These are not new ideas, or something John has come to conclude after many years. This is a fundamental teaching of Christianity, something which was part of the faith from the very beginning, as shown in verse 11.

Verse 24. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

This final verse of chapter 3 concludes with a reminder that obedience is tied to “abiding” in fellowship with God. To abide or continue in God includes obedience, believing in Jesus as Lord, and loving one another. John is simply repeating the teaching of Jesus, who named as the “greatest commandment” to love God, and the next greatest to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40).

These final two verses of chapter 3 also mention all three persons of the Trinity. Verse 23 refers to Jesus the Son. This verse adds God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Though some have argued the doctrine of the Trinity was “added” long after the New Testament’s writing, 1 John offers examples in which Father, Son, and Spirit are all three mentioned together as part of the triune God.

This verse does offer a powerful “test” of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. Namely, that the influence of the Holy Spirit is proof that a person has been saved. Since Christians can sin, and can choose not to “abide” in His will, a lack of this influence is not always a sign of being an unbeliever. However, those who show no signs of the influence of the Holy Spirit fail to give evidence that they are part of God’s family.

End of Chapter 3.

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