1 John 3:17 - Forerunner Commentary

1 John 3:17

15 ^aWhoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that ^bno murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 ^aBy this we know love, ^bbecause He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But ^awhoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, ^alet us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

19 And by this we¹ know ^athat we are of the truth, and shall² assure our hearts before Him.

20 ^aFor if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

Verse Comparison: 1 John 3:17

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American Standard Version
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?

Amplified® Bible
But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother {and} fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live {and} remain in him?

Contemporary English Version
If we have all we need and see one of our own people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we cannot say we love God.

Darby English Version
But whoso may have the world's substance, and see his brother having need, and shut up his bowels from him, how abides the love of God in him?

Good News Bible
If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?

International Standard Version
Whoever has earthly possessions and notices a brother in need and yet withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God remain in him?

King James Version
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?

New American Standard Bible
But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

New International Version
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

New King James Version
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Young's Literal Translation
and whoever may have the goods of the world, and may view his brother having need, and may shut up his bowels from him -- how doth the love of God remain in him?

New English Translation
But whoever has the world’s possessions¹ and sees his fellow Christian² in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God³ reside⁴ in such a person?⁵

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