3:18 (Logical Relationship)

Since this verse gives the main point of John’s argument, based on 3:16–17, it may be necessary in translation to make this clear.

3:18a

let us love not in: (Meaning) In translation it is important to avoid implying here that we should never say we love someone. John certainly assumes that we say we love people, but he is here warning that we should not only say we love people, we should also do things to help them.

love: (Lexical Problem) John is referring to loving our brothers or each other, and this can be made explicit in translation if it is necessary for the verb love to have an object.

speech: (Metaphor) The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speech is more literally “tongue.” This is a metaphorical way of referring to speech.

3:18b

and truth: (Meaning) If we actually help one another our love will be true love in accordance with God’s truth.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.