1 John 3:11-16

Love One Another

11 For v this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, w that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like x Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? y Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, 1 z that the world hates you. 14 We know that a we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 b Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that c no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

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

  1. Cross References
    1 John 1:5
    This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
    1 John 2:24
    Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
  2. Cross References
    John 13:34
    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.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 4:4
    And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.
    Genesis 4:8
    Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
    Hebrews 11:4
    By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
    Jude 1:11
    Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 38:20
    Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.
    Proverbs 29:10
    Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
  5. Cross References
    John 15:18
    If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
    John 17:14
    I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
  6. Cross References
    John 5:24
    Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 5:21 - 22
    "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'
  8. Cross References
    Galatians 5:21
    Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
    Revelation 21:8
    But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
  9. Cross References
    John 15:13
    Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
  10. Cross References
    Philippians 2:17
    Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.