1 John 3:18
New International Version
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

New Living Translation
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

English Standard Version
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Berean Standard Bible
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Berean Literal Bible
Little children, we should love not in word, nor in tongue, but in action and in truth.

King James Bible
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

New King James Version
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

New American Standard Bible
Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

NASB 1995
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

NASB 1977
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

Amplified Bible
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].

Christian Standard Bible
Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.

American Standard Version
My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.

Contemporary English Version
Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.

English Revised Version
My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.

Good News Translation
My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

International Standard Version
Little children, we must stop expressing love merely by our words and manner of speech; we must love also in action and in truth.

Majority Standard Bible
My little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

NET Bible
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth.

New Heart English Bible
Little children, let us not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

Webster's Bible Translation
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Weymouth New Testament
Dear children, let us not love in words only nor with the lips, but in deed and in truth.

World English Bible
My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
My little children, may we not love in word nor in tongue, but in work and in truth!

Berean Literal Bible
Little children, we should love not in word, nor in tongue, but in action and in truth.

Young's Literal Translation
My little children, may we not love in word nor in tongue, but in work and in truth!

Smith's Literal Translation
My little children, we should not love in word, neither in tongue; but in work and truth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
My little sons, let us not love in words only, but in works and in truth.

New American Bible
Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

New Revised Standard Version
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My children, let us not love one another in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Children, let us not love one another with words and with speech, but in deeds and in truth.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.

Godbey New Testament
Little children, let us love with divine love not in word, nor in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Haweis New Testament
My dear children, let us not love in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth;

Mace New Testament
my dear children, let not our love be only in the language of our lips, but in the real effects of the heart.

Weymouth New Testament
Dear children, let us not love in words only nor with the lips, but in deed and in truth.

Worrell New Testament
Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Worsley New Testament
My little children, let us not love in word, or in tongue only, but in deed and in truth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Love One Another
17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 18Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. 19And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:…

Cross References
James 2:15-17
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? / So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, / filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

2 Corinthians 8:8
I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others.

Hebrews 13:1-2
Continue in brotherly love. / Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.


Treasury of Scripture

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

My.

1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

let.

Exodus 33:21
And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

Matthew 25:41-45
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: …

Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

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1 John 3
1. He declares the singular love of God toward us, in making us his sons;
3. who therefore ought obediently to keep his commandments;
11. as also to love one another as brothers.














Little children
This affectionate term, "little children," is translated from the Greek word "τεκνία" (teknia), which John uses to address believers with a sense of pastoral care and intimacy. It reflects the apostle's deep love and concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers, akin to a father guiding his children. Historically, this term underscores the early Christian community's familial nature, emphasizing unity and mutual care among believers.

let us love
The Greek verb "ἀγαπῶμεν" (agapōmen) is derived from "ἀγάπη" (agape), which signifies a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. This is the same love that God demonstrates towards humanity, as seen throughout the New Testament. In the context of 1 John, this call to love is a central theme, urging believers to reflect God's love in their interactions with one another.

not in word and speech
The phrase "not in word and speech" highlights the insufficiency of mere verbal expressions of love. The Greek terms "λόγῳ" (logō) and "γλώσσῃ" (glōssē) refer to spoken words and language. In the historical context of the early church, there was a need to distinguish genuine Christian love from superficial declarations. This admonition serves as a reminder that true love transcends verbal affirmations and requires tangible evidence.

but in action and truth
The contrast "but in action and truth" emphasizes the necessity of love being demonstrated through deeds and sincerity. The Greek word "ἔργῳ" (ergō) means "work" or "deed," indicating that love must be active and visible. "Truth," from the Greek "ἀληθείᾳ" (alētheia), implies authenticity and integrity. In the scriptural context, this aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified love through His actions and called His followers to do likewise. This phrase challenges believers to embody love in a way that is both practical and genuine, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.

Verses 18-24. - As in chapter 1 John 2:28, St. John bursts out into personal exhortation (comp. verse 13; chapter 1 John 4:1, 7), based upon the preceding statements. He then restates the motive in a new form both positively and negatively. Verse 18. - Little children (τεκνία, the μου being spurious). This address, as in 1 John 2:28, introduces the summing up of the section. It may be doubted whether the absence of ἐν with the first pair λόγῳ μηδὲ τῇ γλώσσῃ and its presence with the second ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ indicates any marked difference, as if λόγῳ expressed the instrument, and ἐν ἔργῳ the element or sphere. This introduces a false antithesis, like "Do not dig with a stick, but dig in the earth." (For the Hebraic ἐν to express the instrument, comp. Revelation 13:10.) "Nor yet with the tongue" is not a tautological addition. One may love in word only, and yet the affectionate words may be quite sincere; and this is a common case. People say kind things which they mean at the moment, but afterwards they do not take the trouble to act kindly. But to love with the tongue only is far worse. This is to say kind things which one does not mean, and which one knows to be unreal. Deeds are needed to complete the kind word; truth is needed to correct the insincere tongue.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Little children,
Τεκνία (Teknia)
Noun - Vocative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5040: A little child. Diminutive of teknon; an infant, i.e. darlings.

let us love
ἀγαπῶμεν (agapōmen)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

in word
λόγῳ (logō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

[and]
μηδὲ (mēde)
Conjunction
Strong's 3366: And not, not even, neither…nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.

speech,
γλώσσῃ (glōssē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

action
ἔργῳ (ergō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

truth.
ἀληθείᾳ (alētheia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.


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NT Letters: 1 John 3:18 My little children let's not love (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
1 John 3:17
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