1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He that loves not his brother stays in death. I. "HE THAT LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER ABIDETH IN DEATH." The very form of this statement demands attention. It charges as a crime the want of a grace and not merely the perpetration of evil. 1. The complaint is, "he that loveth not his brother." He is devoid of the natural affection which close affinity should create. As for counting anyone a brother because he is a child of God, although he has no earthly relationship to him, he neither apprehends the idea, nor is sensible of any obligation upon him, arising out of it. 2. His condition is supposed to be the most deplorable. "Death" is the term that is used to describe it. It is descriptive at once of his guilt and depravity, and his insensibility to both. Mark the emphasis of the phrase, "abideth in death." Such a one was and continues to be dead. II. "WHOSOEVER HATETH HIS BROTHER IS A MURDERER, AND YE KNOW THAT NO MURDERER HATH ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING IN HIM." This statement is stronger than the former. That was negative, while this is positive. That consisted in withholding what was due, this in the infliction of evil. We are reminded in this comparative statement of the progress of sin. It is never stationary. The want of a grace will soon become the germ of a great sin. The man that loveth not his brother will soon learn to hate his brother. In finding out arguments to justify his neglect, he will not fail to dis cover reasons to inflame his hatred. The conclusion of the apostle respecting such a one is irresistible — "Ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." The two things are incompatible and cannot dwell together. III. "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." This is the strongest argument yet advanced. It is drawn from the conduct of God Himself, and from the obligation that rests on us to be followers of Him as dear children. (J. Morgan, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. |
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