1 John 3:10

Translations

Modern

By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Traditional

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Literal

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: everyone not doing righteousness is not of God, and the one not loving his brother.

Latin

In hoc manifesti sunt filii Dei, et filii diaboli. Omnis qui non est justus, non est ex Deo, et qui non diligit fratrem suum:

Original

Greek

English

By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Notes

1 John 3:9–10

To practice righteousness means to live in a right relationship with God. This is different from what the false teachers claimed. They taught that their spiritual life was not affected by what they did in their physical bodies. Living righteously does not mean that we live perfect lives (1:8). It means we confess our sins and stay in a right relationship with God (1:9).

1 John 3:4–10

This section explains what it means to live a pure life (3:3). Being part of God's spiritual family requires living a pure life. A life full of sin shows that someone is not truly God's child. Sin is not suitable for the new nature that comes from spiritual birth.

John encourages Christians to do what is right to show they are united to Christ and his righteousness. Children of God do not make a practice of sinning. However, this is different from the kind of “sinlessness” claimed by the false teachers (see 1:5–10 and corresponding study notes).

Theme notes and profiles

Love in the Community of Christ

Related verses

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
1 John 4:21
And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.
Matthew 13:38
The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
1 John 3:7–8
Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
John 8:47
Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
1 John 4:3–4
…and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.
Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
1 John 4:6
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
1 John 5:2
By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.

People

Satan: The adversary, the devil, the tempter of humanity

Glossary

Brothers (and Sisters) Disciple First Letter of John Shekinah Sin

Topics

Adoption: Spiritual Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Hatred: Scriptures Relating To Love to Man: The Wicked Devoid of Lukewarm Christians Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Negative Influences Perfection: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Righteousness: Fruits of Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating The Devil: The Wicked are the Children of Titles and Names of Saints: Children of God Titles and Names of the Wicked: Children of the Devil Unrepented Sin Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People Wicked (People): Described

1 John 3:10

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