1John 3:11-14 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death.
‘Message’ the Greek word angelia meaning proclamation; commandment and order.
‘From the beginning’ there are ten things concerning Jesus Christ that the disciples heard from the beginning: He is from the beginning (1:1; John 1:1-2); from everlasting (Micah 5:1-2; Heb. 1:8); they [the disciples] have heard Him with their ears (1:1), so can we when we read the Word (Rom. 10:17; Php. 1:9); they [the disciples] have seen Him with their eyes (1:1); their [disciples] hands have handled Him (1:1); He is the Word of Life (1:1; John 14:6); they [disciples] bear witness of this Life (1:2); He is that eternal Life (1:2); He is not the Father, but was with Him from all eternity (1:2; John 1:1-2); He was manifested to them [disciples] (1:2); they [disciples] declare Him to us for two reasons: (1) That we may have fellowship with them, with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ (1:3); (2) That our joy may be full (1:4).
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.’ Christ’s commandment to us is the same as His Father’s commandment to Him. We must love one another to the extent that He loves us. He laid down His life for us; we must lay down our lives for each other.
‘Cain’ he was of satan (Gen. 4:1-26). ‘Slew’ the Greek word sphazo meaning put to death by violence. ‘Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous’ Abel was a better man and more righteous than Cain. This is often the excuse of enmity (Gen. 4:1-26; Heb. 11:4).
‘Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you’ Expect no better treatment from the world than Abel received from Cain.
‘We know that we have passed from death unto life’ There are many things given to us in 1John that we know: That we know Him (2:3) and can then be in (union) Him (2:5) and He abides in us (3:24). We know all things of truth and are of the truth (2:20, 213:19) and that no lie is of the truth (2:21). Everyone that does righteousness is born of God (2:29). When He shall appear, we shall be like Him (3:2). He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin (3:5). We have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren (3:14; 5:2). No murderer or hater of people has eternal life (3:15). We have the Spirit of God (4:2, 13) and we know the difference between the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error (4:6). That we dwell in Him and He in us – again in union (of the same mind – 4:13). We have eternal life (5:13) and whosoever is born of God do not sin (5:18). The Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and can be in Him (5:20). NOTE: if any of these points mentioned are not true in your life, seek God in all earnest, don’t just declare yourself saved as so many do today and yet have not the fruit of repentance (Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8).
Living the Word 