1 JOHN 3:16 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers — the definition of love is Christ's self-sacrifice (tithēmi psychē). The pattern (ought, opheilo) calls believers to similar self-giving. Love is not sentiment but action: laying down one's life for others.
Church Fathers on 1 John 3:16
“In this know we love:” 1 John 3:16 he means, perfection of love, that perfection which we have bidden you lay to heart: “In this know we love, that He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Lo here, whence that came: “Peter, do you love me? Feed My sheep.” John 21:15-19 For, that you may know that He would have His sheep to be so fed by him, as that he should lay down his life for the sheep, straightway said He this to him: “When you…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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