Verse 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue. By mere profession; by merely saying that we love each other. See 1 Pe 1:22.

But in deed and in truth. In such acts as shall show that our professed love is sincere and real. Let us do the deed of love, whether anything is said about it or not. See Barnes "Mt 6:3".

{+} "little children" "My children" {e} "let us" Eze 33:31; Ro 12:9; Jas 2:15,16; 1 Pe 1:22