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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/3-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/62_1Jn_03_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 3:15 - Love One Another" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_john/3-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_john/3-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_john/">1 John</a> > <a href="/1_john/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_john/3-14.htm" title="1 John 3:14">◄</a> 1 John 3:15 <a href="/1_john/3-16.htm" title="1 John 3:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_john/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_john/3.htm">New International Version</a> Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. <a href="/nlt/1_john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. <a href="/esv/1_john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/bsb/1_john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. <a href="/blb/1_john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Everyone hating his brother is a murderer; and you know that any murderer does not have eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/kjv/1_john/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/nkjv/1_john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/nasb_/1_john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. <a href="/nasb/1_john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/nasb77/1_john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/lsb/1_john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/amp/1_john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Everyone who hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer [by God’s standards]; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/csb/1_john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. <a href="/hcsb/1_john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. <a href="/asv/1_john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/cev/1_john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you hate each other, you are murderers, and we know murderers do not have eternal life. <a href="/erv/1_john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/gwt/1_john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Everyone who hates another believer is a murderer, and you know that a murderer doesn't have eternal life. <a href="/gnt/1_john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Those who hate others are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life in them. <a href="/isv/1_john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life present in him. <a href="/msb/1_john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. <a href="/net/1_john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. <a href="/nheb/1_john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has everlasting life remaining in him. <a href="/wbt/1_john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Whoever hateth his brother, is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/wey/1_john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Every one who hates his brother man is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has the Life of the Ages continuing in him. <a href="/web/1_john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Everyone who is hating his brother is a manslayer, and you have known that no manslayer has continuous life remaining in him; <a href="/blb/1_john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Everyone hating his brother is a murderer; and you know that any murderer does not have eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/ylt/1_john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Every one who is hating his brother -- a man-killer he is, and ye have known that no man-killer hath life age-during in him remaining, <a href="/slt/1_john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Every one hating his brother is a manslayer: and ye know that no manslayer has eternal life remaining in him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. <a href="/cpdv/1_john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding within him. <a href="/nabre/1_john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For everyone who hates his brother murders a person, and you know that eternal life cannot abide in anyone who murders a person.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Whoever hates his brother, is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.<CM> <a href="/godbey/1_john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Every one hating his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in himself. <a href="/haweis/1_john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Every one who hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath life eternal abiding in him.<CM> <a href="/mace/1_john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> whosoever hateth his brother, has the disposition of a murderer: and you know that no murderer has any title to eternal life. <a href="/wey/1_john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Every one who hates his brother man is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has the Life of the Ages continuing in him. <a href="/worrell/1_john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Every one that hates his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/worsley/1_john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. <a href="/parallel/1_john/3-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlZ5ywDtQGE?start=572" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_john/3.htm">Love One Another</a> …14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15<a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pas (Adj-NMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">Everyone</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/3404.htm" title="3404: misōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.">hates</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphon (N-AMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/443.htm" title="443: anthrōpoktonos (N-NMS) -- A murderer, man-slayer. From anthropos and kteino; a manslayer.">a murderer,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidate (V-RIA-2P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">you know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">does not</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold."></a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: menousan (V-PPA-AFS) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">reside</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pas (Adj-NMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">a</a> <a href="/greek/443.htm" title="443: anthrōpoktonos (N-NMS) -- A murderer, man-slayer. From anthropos and kteino; a manslayer.">murderer.</a> 16By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a> You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. <a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a> For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. <a href="/james/4-2.htm">James 4:2</a> You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a> But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a> The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” <a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a> For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.” <a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Genesis 4:5-8</a> but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. / “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen? / If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” ... <a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13</a> You shall not murder. <a href="/deuteronomy/5-17.htm">Deuteronomy 5:17</a> You shall not murder. <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a> There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a> Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, <a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Isaiah 59:3</a> For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. <a href="/ezekiel/18-10.htm">Ezekiel 18:10-13</a> Now suppose that man has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these things, / though the father has done none of them: Indeed, the son eats at the mountain and defiles his neighbor’s wife. / He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.hateth.<a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Genesis 27:41</a> And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.<a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Leviticus 19:16-18</a> Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD… <a href="/2_samuel/13-22.htm">2 Samuel 13:22-28</a> And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar… hath.<a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a> But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.<a href="/galatians/5-21.htm">Galatians 5:21</a> Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.<a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23</a> Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/1_john/2-25.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/1_john/2-25.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">Continuing</a> <a href="/1_john/2-25.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">Life</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Murderer</a> <a href="/1_john/3-6.htm">Remaining</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Taker</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/9-22.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/1_john/4-13.htm">Continuing</a> <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/jude/1-23.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">Life</a> <a href="/numbers/35-16.htm">Murderer</a> <a href="/1_john/4-16.htm">Remaining</a> <a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Taker</a><div class="vheading2">1 John 3</div>1. <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">He declares the singular love of God toward us, in making us his sons;</a> 3. <a href="/1_john/3-3.htm">who therefore ought obediently to keep his commandments;</a> 11. <a href="/1_john/3-11.htm">as also to love one another as brothers.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_john/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer This phrase draws a direct connection between hatred and murder, echoing Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (<a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a>), where He equates anger with murder. The apostle John emphasizes the seriousness of harboring hatred, suggesting that it is not merely a lesser sin but akin to murder in God's eyes. This reflects the heart's condition, which is central to biblical teaching. The use of "brother" indicates a fellow believer, highlighting the importance of love and unity within the Christian community. Historically, this teaching would have been radical, as it challenges the external adherence to the law, focusing instead on internal transformation.and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer This part of the verse underscores the incompatibility of hatred with the Christian life, which is characterized by love and eternal life. The assurance "you know" suggests that this is a foundational truth understood by believers. Eternal life, a key theme in John's writings, is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms behavior. The statement implies that a lifestyle marked by hatred is evidence of the absence of eternal life. This aligns with other scriptural teachings, such as <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a>, where Paul lists the works of the flesh, including hatred and murder, as barriers to inheriting the kingdom of God. Theologically, this reflects the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to love as Christ loved.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a> The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth in his writings. 2. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a> The recipients of John's letter, likely facing internal conflicts and false teachings, which John addresses by emphasizing love and truth. 3. <a href="/topical/c/cain_and_abel.htm">Cain and Abel</a> While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of 1 <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">John 3</a> includes a reference to Cain, who murdered his brother Abel, serving as a historical example of hatred leading to murder.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_hatred.htm">The Seriousness of Hatred</a> Hatred is equated with murder in God's eyes, highlighting the gravity of harboring ill will towards others. <a href="/topical/t/the_heart's_condition.htm">The Heart's Condition</a> Our internal attitudes and emotions are as significant as our external actions. We must guard our hearts against hatred. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_life_and_love.htm">Eternal Life and Love</a> Eternal life is characterized by love, not hatred. A life marked by love reflects the presence of eternal life within us. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_reconciliation.htm">The Call to Reconciliation</a> As believers, we are called to reconcile with our brothers and sisters, seeking peace and unity within the body of Christ. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_love.htm">Reflecting Christ's Love</a> Our love for others is a testimony of Christ's love in us. We are called to love as He loved, sacrificially and unconditionally.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 John 3</a> <a href="/q/bible_miracle_examples.htm">What does the Bible teach about hate?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_'misandry'_or_'misandrist'_mean.htm">What does "misandry" or "misandrist" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_supports_jesus's_resurrection.htm">What evidence supports Jesus Christ's resurrection?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_blessing_foes.htm">What did Jesus mean by blessing those who curse?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - As in <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20</a>, St. John passes at once from not loving to hating, treating the two as equivalent. He takes no account of the neutral ground of indifference. He that is not for his brother is against him. Indifference is hate quiescent, there being nothing to excite it. Love is the only security against hate. And as every one who does not love is potentially a hater, so every hater is potentially a murderer. A murderer is a hater who expresses his hatred in the most emphatic way. A hater who does not murder abstains for various reasons from this extreme way of expressing his hate. But the temper of the two men is the same; and it is obvious (οἴδατε "ye know what needs no evidence") that every murderer is incapable of possessing eternal life. It is the murderous temper, not the act of homicide, that excludes from eternal life. St. John, of course, does not mean that murder is an unpardonable sin; but he shows that hate and death go together, as love and life, and that the two pairs are mutually exclusive. How can life and the desire to extinguish life be compatible? It is very forced to interpret ἀνθρωποκτόνος as either "destroyer of his own soul," or "destroyer of the hated man's soul," by provoking him to return hate for hate. <a href="/commentaries/1_john/3-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Everyone πᾶς (pas) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. hates μισῶν (misōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3404.htm">Strong's 3404: </a> To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. brother ἀδελφὸν (adelphon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a murderer, ἀνθρωποκτόνος (anthrōpoktonos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_443.htm">Strong's 443: </a> A murderer, man-slayer. From anthropos and kteino; a manslayer. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you know οἴδατε (oidate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. eternal αἰώνιον (aiōnion) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> From aion; perpetual. life ζωὴν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. {does} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. reside μένουσαν (menousan) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. a πᾶς (pas) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. murderer. ἀνθρωποκτόνος (anthrōpoktonos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_443.htm">Strong's 443: </a> A murderer, man-slayer. From anthropos and kteino; a manslayer. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/3-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 3:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 3:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/3-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 3:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 3:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>