1 John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love of God Better, Herein know we love: see on 1 John 2:3. The Greek is literally, -we have perceived," and therefore we know, as R. V., and there is no -of God". The A. V. here collects the errors of other Versions: Tyndale and Cranmer have -perceave", Wiclif and the Rhemish insert -of God"; the Genevan is right on both points, -Herby have we perceaved love." We have obtained the knowledge of what love is, in the concrete example of Christ's vicarious death. Christ is the archetype of self-sacrificing love, as Cain is of brother-sacrificing hate. Love and hate are known by their works.

because he laid down his life For -herein" followed by -because" see on 1 John 2:3. -To lay down" may mean either -to paydown" in the way of ransom or propitiation, or simply -to lay aside." Classical usage sanctions the former interpretation: Demosthenes uses the verb (τίθεσθαι) of paying interest, tribute, taxes. And this is supported by -for us" (ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν), i.e. -on our behalf". But -I lay down My life that I may take it again" (John 10:17-18), and -layeth asideHis garments" (John 13:4; comp. John 13:12), are in favour of the latter: they are quite against the rendering -He pledgedHis life". The phrase -to lay down one's life" is peculiar to S. John (John 10:11; John 10:15; John 10:17; John 13:37-38; John 15:13). In Greek the pronoun (ἐκεῖνος as in 1 John 2:6 and 1 John 3:7) marks more plainly than in English wholaid down His life: but S. John's readers had no need to be told.

and we ought The -we" is emphatic: this on ourside is a Christian's duty; he -ought himself also to walk evenas He walked" (1 John 2:6). The argument seems to shew that though -the brethren" specially means believers, yet heathen are not to be excluded. Christ laid down His life not for Christians only, -but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Christians must imitate Him in this: their love must be (1) practical, (2) absolutely self-sacrificing, (3) all-embracing. -God commendeth His own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Tertullian quotes this dictum of the Apostle in urging the duty of martyrdom: "If he teaches that we must die for the brethren, how much more for the Lord" (Scorp.xii.). Comp. Proverbs 24:11. See on 1 John 4:18.