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I John 3:10

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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.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 10

children of the devil--(See on Jo1 3:8; Act 13:10). There is no middle class between the children of God and the children of the devil. doeth not righteousness--Contrast Jo1 2:29. he that loveth not his brother-- (Jo1 4:8); a particular instance of that love which is the sum and fulfilment of all righteousness, and the token (not loud professions, or even seemingly good works) that distinguishes God's children from the devil's.

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 10

The apostle here magnifies the love of God in our adoption (Jo1 3:1, Jo1 3:2). He thereupon argues for holiness (Jo1 3:3), and against sin (v. 4-19). He presses brotherly love (Jo1 3:11-18). How to assure our hearts before God (Jo1 3:19-22). The precept of faith (Jo1 3:23). And the good of obedience (Jo1 3:24).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 10

ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are φανερός (phanerós, G5318) — shining, i.e. apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διάβολος (diábolos, G1228) — a traducer; specially, Satan (compare H07854) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē, G1343) — equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

I John 4:8rank 14

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

III John 1:11rank 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.

Luke 6:35rank 10

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.

I John 4:21rank 10

And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

Matthew 13:38rank 10

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 8:44rank 10

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.

John 8:47rank 9

Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

I John 4:6rank 7

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.

Ephesians 5:1rank 7

Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,

I John 5:2rank 6

By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.

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