16 (A)[a]Hereby have we perceived love, that he laid down his life for us: therefore we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 (B)[b]And whosoever hath this [c]world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and [d]shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 [e]My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue only, but in deed and in truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:16 Now he showeth how far Christian charity extendeth, even so far, that according to the example of Christ, every man forget himself, to provide for and help his brethren.
  2. 1 John 3:17 He reasoneth by comparison: For if we are bound even to give our life for our neighbors, how much more are we bound to help our brothers’ necessity with our goods and substance?
  3. 1 John 3:17 Wherewith this life is sustained.
  4. 1 John 3:17 Openeth not his heart to him, nor helpeth him willingly and cheerfully.
  5. 1 John 3:18 Christian charity standeth not in words, but in deed, and proceedeth from a sincere affection.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.(A) And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.(B) 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,(C) how can the love of God be in that person?(D) 18 Dear children,(E) let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.(F)

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