1 John 3:16

By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The elder writes to a community of believers under pressure from teachers who deny Christ's real humanity; this verse sits between a condemnation of hatred (v. 15) and a rebuke of withheld generosity (v. 17).

The words — ἀγάπην (agapēn) names the specific kind of love in view: self-giving, covenantal, not affection or fondness. ὑπὲρ (huper) means "on behalf of," carrying the force of substitution — He gave His life in our place.

The thread — The same logic runs through John 13:34 ("As I have loved you, so you also must love one another") and Ephesians 5:2 (Christ "gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering"), and 1 John 4:9 defines God's love as sending His Son so we might live.

Why it lands — The verse converts recognition into obligation: having seen what love costs in Christ, the reader is held to the same standard for the brother beside them. It is not a suggestion but a measure — if you claim to know this love, your life must be at stake for another.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 John 4:9 This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”