1
Ἴδετε ποταπὴν ἀγάπην δέδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ἵνα τέκνα θεοῦ κληθῶμεν, καὶ ἐσμέν. διὰ τοῦτο ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν.
See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God — and so we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
An imperatival exclamation opens the section: behold the astonishing quality of the Father's love, realized in adoptive sonship. The world's failure to recognize believers is grounded in its prior failure to recognize God (Christ).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἼδετεseeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωimperative (exclamatory)→ ingressive aorist (a fixed call to look)ὁράω: 'see, behold'; the aorist imperative summons the reader to fix attention on what follows.
ποταπὴνwhat kind ofAccusativeinterrogative/exclamatory adjective modifying ἀγάπηνποταπός: 'of what sort, how great'; here exclamatory — marveling at the quality of the love.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of δέδωκενἀγάπη: self-giving love; the keynote of the epistle, here the Father's love as a bestowed gift.
δέδωκενhas givenPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (relative clause, asyndeton)→ perfect (past gift with abiding result)δίδωμι: 'give'; the perfect underscores the love bestowed and still possessed.
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (dative of recipient)
ὁtheNominativearticle with πατήρ
πατὴρFatherNominativesubject of δέδωκενπατήρ: 'father'; God as Father — the source of the adoptive love.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing result/content clauseἵνα: here naming the content/result of the love — that we be called God's children.
τέκναchildrenNominativepredicate nominative with κληθῶμεντέκνον: 'child'; John's preferred term for believers (vs. Paul's υἱός), stressing birth from God.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship (whose children)θεός: God; the genitive marks the family to which believers belong.
κληθῶμενwe should be calledAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · καλέωsubjunctive in ἵνα-clause→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, name'; to be 'called' children of God is to be so in fact, as the next clause insists.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (ascensive/confirming)
ἐσμένwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (confirming the naming)→ stative present (a present reality)εἰμί: 'be'; the added clause insists that the title is not honorific but real — we are God's children now.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'for this reason')οὗτος: demonstrative; διὰ τοῦτο looks forward to the ὅτι-clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle with κόσμος
κόσμοςworldNominativesubject of γινώσκεικόσμος: the world-order alienated from God; in John, hostile to the children of light.
οὐnotnegative with γινώσκει
γινώσκειknowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ durative present (ongoing failure to recognize)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the world fails to recognize believers as God's own.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of γινώσκει
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal)ὅτι: here causal, giving the ground for the world's ignorance.
οὐκnotnegative with ἔγνω
ἔγνωit knewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωverb of causal clause→ constative aorist (the world's settled failure)γινώσκω: the world did not recognize God (Christ); hence its ignorance of his children.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔγνωαὐτόν: 'him' — God, or Christ as the Father's self-revelation; the ambiguity is Johannine.
2
Ἀγαπητοί, νῦν τέκνα θεοῦ ἐσμεν, καὶ οὔπω ἐφανερώθη τί ἐσόμεθα. οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἐὰν φανερωθῇ ὅμοιοι αὐτῷ ἐσόμεθα, ὅτι ὀψόμεθα αὐτὸν καθώς ἐστιν.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we shall be has not yet appeared; we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
The 'now' of sonship is set against the 'not yet' of glory. The 'we shall be like him' is the chapter's great hope, grounded in the beatific vision: seeing him as he is transforms into his likeness.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἈγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of direct addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; John's affectionate address, fitting a discourse on love.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (emphatic, fronted)νῦν: 'now'; the present reality of sonship over against the unrevealed future.
τέκναchildrenNominativepredicate nominative with ἐσμεντέκνον: 'child'; the present possession reasserted from v.1.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (equative)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the assured present status of believers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὔπωnot yetnegative temporal adverbοὔπω: 'not yet'; marks the eschatological reserve — the future glory is undisclosed.
ἐφανερώθηhas appearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φανερόωmain verb (impersonal, subject = the τί-clause)→ constative aorist (with present relevance)φανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal'; what believers shall become has not yet been disclosed.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of ἐσόμεθα clause)τίς: 'what'; the content of future glory, left an open question here.
ἐσόμεθαwe shall beFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of indirect question→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; the future state of the children of God.
οἴδαμενwe knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (asyndeton)→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know'; perfect-with-present sense — what believers do know amid what they do not.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause
ἐὰνwhen / ifconjunction (third-class condition / temporal)ἐάν: here virtually temporal ('whenever/when'), the appearing being certain.
φανερωθῇhe appearsAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · φανερόωsubjunctive in conditional clause→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'be manifested'; subject may be Christ ('when he appears') or 'it' (what we shall be) — most read Christ's parousia.
ὅμοιοιlikeNominativepredicate adjective with ἐσόμεθαὅμοιος: 'like, similar'; conformity to Christ's glorified likeness, not identity of being.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of reference (object of likeness)αὐτῷ: 'to him' — Christ, the One who appears.
ἐσόμεθαwe shall beFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb of apodosis→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; the promised likeness to the glorified Christ.
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal)ὅτι: causal — the ground of the likeness is the vision of him.
ὀψόμεθαwe shall seeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ὁράωverb of causal clause→ predictive futureὁράω: 'see'; the beatific vision — seeing transforms (cf. 2 Cor 3:18).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ὀψόμεθα
καθώςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; we shall see him in his true, unveiled state.
ἐστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of comparative clause→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; 'as he is' — Christ seen in his glory, not veiled as in the flesh.
3
καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἔχων τὴν ἐλπίδα ταύτην ἐπ’ αὐτῷ ἁγνίζει ἑαυτὸν καθὼς ἐκεῖνος ἁγνός ἐστιν.
And everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, just as that One is pure.
The hope of likeness is not passive: it issues in present self-purification, measured by the standard of Christ's own purity. The first of the chapter's 'πᾶς ὁ + participle' constructions defining true children.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every'; the universal construction πᾶς ὁ + participle marks the comprehensive ethical claim.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (an abiding hope)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the participle defines the subject as the hope-bearer.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ἐλπίδα
ἐλπίδαhopeAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνἐλπίς: 'hope'; the confident expectation of v.2 — likeness to Christ.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative modifying ἐλπίδαοὗτος: 'this'; pointing back to the hope just named.
ἐπ’onpreposition + dative (basis/object of hope)ἐπί: 'on, upon'; the hope rests on him (Christ).
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπίαὐτῷ: 'him' — Christ, the object on whom the hope is fixed.
ἁγνίζειpurifiesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁγνίζωmain verb→ durative present (ongoing purification)ἁγνίζω: 'purify, make pure'; ritual term turned ethical — moral self-purification.
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive direct objectἑαυτοῦ: reflexive — the believer's own active purifying, the human side of sanctification.
καθὼςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; the measure of purity is Christ's own.
ἐκεῖνοςthat OneNominativesubject of ἐστινἐκεῖνος: 'that one'; John's regular designation for Christ as the standard of conduct.
ἁγνόςpureNominativepredicate adjectiveἁγνός: 'pure, holy'; Christ's sinless purity is the pattern.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of comparative clause→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the abiding purity of Christ.
4
Πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία.
Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
The section on the two families opens by defining sin as lawlessness — rebellion against God's order. The present ποιῶν / ποιεῖ denotes habitual practice, not a single lapse.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ΠᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every'; the universal construction again, now of the sinner.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
ποιῶνpracticingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual practice)ποιέω: 'do, make, practice'; the present marks ongoing, characteristic doing of sin.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ἁμαρτίαν
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect object of ποιῶνἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the articular noun = sin as a settled course of life.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive) καίκαί: 'also'; equates the practice of sin with the practice of lawlessness.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ἀνομίαν
ἀνομίανlawlessnessAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖἀνομία: 'lawlessness'; sin as rebellion against God's law/order, an eschatological term.
ποιεῖpracticesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ durative present (habitual)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; to live in sin is to live in lawlessness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle with ἁμαρτία
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubject of ἐστὶνἁμαρτία: 'sin'; defined by its essence in the predicate.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the defining equation, sin = lawlessness.
ἡtheNominativearticle with ἀνομία
ἀνομίαlawlessnessNominativepredicate nominativeἀνομία: 'lawlessness'; the convertible predicate — sin's true nature.
5
καὶ οἴδατε ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ἐφανερώθη ἵνα τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἄρῃ, καὶ ἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν.
And you know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
Two christological facts ground the ethics: Christ came to remove sins, and he is himself sinless. Both make persistence in sin incompatible with union with him.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know'; appeals to shared apostolic knowledge.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause
ἐκεῖνοςthat OneNominativesubject of ἐφανερώθηἐκεῖνος: 'that one' — Christ, as in v.3.
ἐφανερώθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φανερόωmain verb of object clause→ constative aorist (the incarnation)φανερόω: 'be manifested'; of Christ's incarnate appearing.
ἵναin order thatconjunction introducing purpose clauseἵνα: purpose — why Christ appeared.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with ἁμαρτίας
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect object of ἄρῃἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the plural points to the actual sins he takes away (cf. John 1:29).
ἄρῃhe might take awayAor Act Subj 3 Sg · αἴρωsubjunctive in ἵνα-clause→ constative aoristαἴρω: 'lift up, take away, remove'; Christ's purpose was to bear off sins.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubject of ἔστινἁμαρτία: 'sin'; here anarthrous and emphatic — no sin whatever.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — Christ, in whom no sin resides.
οὐκnotnegative with ἔστιν
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be, exist'; the sinlessness of Christ is permanent.
6
πᾶς ὁ ἐν αὐτῷ μένων οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει· πᾶς ὁ ἁμαρτάνων οὐχ ἑώρακεν αὐτὸν οὐδὲ ἔγνωκεν αὐτόν.
Everyone who abides in him does not keep sinning; everyone who keeps sinning has neither seen him nor known him.
The crux verse: the present ἁμαρτάνει denotes habitual sinning, not isolated acts (cf. 1:8; 2:1). To abide in the sinless Christ is incompatible with a life-pattern of sin; persistent sin betrays that one has never truly seen or known him.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every'; the universal claim.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — Christ, the sphere of abiding.
μένωνabidingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μένωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (continuing abiding)μένω: 'remain, abide'; a key Johannine term for sustained union with Christ.
οὐχnotnegative with ἁμαρτάνει
ἁμαρτάνειkeeps sinningPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb→ durative/customary present (habitual sin)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; the present tense denotes persistent, characteristic sinning — not the occasional sin of 1:8–2:1.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject, asyndeton)πᾶς: 'every'; the antithetical parallel.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
ἁμαρτάνωνsinningPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἁμαρτάνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual sin)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; the one whose life is characterized by sinning.
οὐχnotnegative with ἑώρακεν
ἑώρακενhas seenPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ perfect (resultant state of having seen)ὁράω: 'see'; spiritual perception of Christ, which persistent sin denies.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἑώρακεν
οὐδὲnornegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'and not, nor'; pairs the two failures.
ἔγνωκενhas knownPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ perfect (resultant state of knowledge)γινώσκω: 'know'; experiential knowledge of Christ, likewise absent in the persistent sinner.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔγνωκεν
7
Τεκνία, μηδεὶς πλανάτω ὑμᾶς· ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην δίκαιός ἐστιν, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος δίκαιός ἐστιν·
Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who does righteousness is righteous, just as that One is righteous.
A pastoral warning against deception (likely the secessionists' moral indifference): conduct reveals character. Doing righteousness, not mere profession, marks the righteous, after the pattern of Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Τεκνίαlittle childrenVocativevocative of addressτεκνίον: diminutive of τέκνον, 'little child'; John's tender pastoral address.
μηδεὶςno oneNominativesubject of πλανάτωμηδείς: 'no one'; the subject of the prohibition.
πλανάτωlet deceivePres Act Impv 3 Sg · πλανάωthird-person imperative (prohibition)→ durative present (let no ongoing deceiving)πλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; warns against the antinomian teaching abroad.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of πλανάτω
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
ποιῶνdoingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual doing)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; the one whose life produces righteousness.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with δικαιοσύνην
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect object of ποιῶνδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; right conduct conforming to God's will.
δίκαιόςrighteousNominativepredicate adjectiveδίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; the character disclosed by righteous deeds.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
καθὼςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; the measure is Christ.
ἐκεῖνοςthat OneNominativesubject of ἐστινἐκεῖνος: 'that one' — Christ, the righteous standard.
δίκαιόςrighteousNominativepredicate adjectiveδίκαιος: 'righteous'; cf. 2:1, 'Jesus Christ the righteous.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
8
ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστίν, ὅτι ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ὁ διάβολος ἁμαρτάνει. εἰς τοῦτο ἐφανερώθη ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα λύσῃ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ διαβόλου.
The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
The sinner's lineage is traced to the devil, the original and continual sinner. Against this, the Son's mission is stated: to undo the devil's works — a second purpose-statement (cf. v.5) framing the ethics christologically.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
ποιῶνpracticingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; the one characterized by sin.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ἁμαρτίαν
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect object of ποιῶνἁμαρτία: 'sin' as a course of life.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (source/origin)ἐκ: 'out of'; marks origin/derivation — belonging to the devil's family.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with διαβόλου
διαβόλουdevilGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)διάβολος: 'slanderer, devil'; the source of the sinner's character.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal)ὅτι: causal ground.
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (temporal)ἀπό: 'from'; ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς = 'from the beginning.'
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning'; the devil's sin from the very first (cf. John 8:44).
ὁtheNominativearticle with διάβολος
διάβολοςdevilNominativesubject of ἁμαρτάνειδιάβολος: 'the devil'; the archetypal and ongoing sinner.
ἁμαρτάνειhas been sinningPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb→ progressive present (action from the past, still ongoing)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; the present with ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς depicts continuous sinning from the start until now.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)εἰς: 'for, unto'; εἰς τοῦτο = 'for this purpose.'
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of εἰς (anticipates the ἵνα-clause)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing forward to the purpose.
ἐφανερώθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φανερόωmain verb→ constative aorist (the incarnation)φανερόω: 'be manifested'; the Son's appearing in the flesh.
ὁtheNominativearticle with υἱὸς
υἱὸςSonNominativesubject of ἐφανερώθηυἱός: 'son'; ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, the divine title of the Redeemer.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationshipθεός: God; the Son's relation to the Father.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing purpose clauseἵνα: purpose.
λύσῃhe might destroyAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λύωsubjunctive in ἵνα-clause→ constative aoristλύω: 'loose, dissolve, destroy'; to undo/dismantle the devil's works.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ἔργα
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of λύσῃἔργον: 'work, deed'; the devil's works, i.e. sin and its dominion.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with διαβόλου
διαβόλουdevilGenitivegenitive of source/possessionδιάβολος: 'the devil'; whose works Christ came to dissolve.
9
Πᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἁμαρτίαν οὐ ποιεῖ, ὅτι σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, καὶ οὐ δύναται ἁμαρτάνειν, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ γεγέννηται.
Everyone who has been begotten of God does not practice sin, because his seed abides in him; and he cannot keep sinning, because he has been begotten of God.
The climax of the section: the divine birth (perfect γεγεννημένος / γεγέννηται — an accomplished, abiding state) implants God's 'seed,' so the regenerate cannot live a life of sin. οὐ δύναται ἁμαρτάνειν ('cannot keep sinning'): the present infinitive denotes continuous/habitual sinning, not absolute sinless perfection (cf. 1:8).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ΠᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every'; the universal claim about the regenerate.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
γεγεννημένοςhaving been begottenPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γεννάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ perfect (a past begetting with abiding result)γεννάω: 'beget, give birth'; the perfect marks the new birth as an accomplished, permanent state.
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of'; the divine origin of the new birth.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θεός: God; the begetter.
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖἁμαρτία: 'sin'; anarthrous and fronted for emphasis.
οὐnotnegative with ποιεῖ
ποιεῖpracticesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ durative/customary present (habitual)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; the regenerate does not make sin his way of life.
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal)ὅτι: causal ground.
σπέρμαseedNominativesubject of μένεισπέρμα: 'seed'; the divine principle of new life (the word, the Spirit, or the new nature).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's seed)αὐτοῦ: 'his' — God's seed, abiding in the regenerate.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — the begotten one in whom the seed remains.
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωverb of causal clause→ durative present (continual abiding)μένω: 'remain, abide'; the permanence of the divine seed.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative with δύναται
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (with complementary infinitive)→ stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; 'cannot' — the moral impossibility of a sin-dominated life for the regenerate.
ἁμαρτάνεινto keep sinningPres Act Inf · ἁμαρτάνωcomplementary infinitive→ durative present (continuous/habitual sinning)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; the present infinitive = to go on sinning, not to commit any single sin (cf. 2:1).
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal)ὅτι: causal ground.
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of'; the source of the new birth.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θεός: God.
γεγέννηταιhe has been begottenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωverb of causal clause→ perfect (past begetting with abiding present result)γεννάω: 'beget'; the perfect tense — the decisive new birth whose abiding state grounds the inability to sin.
10
ἐν τούτῳ φανερά ἐστιν τὰ τέκνα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τὰ τέκνα τοῦ διαβόλου· πᾶς ὁ μὴ ποιῶν δικαιοσύνην οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ.
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: everyone who does not do righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
The criterion verse closing the section and opening the next: righteousness and brotherly love together mark the children of God. The mention of loving one's brother pivots to the love-command of vv.11–18.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)ἐν: 'in, by'; ἐν τούτῳ = 'by this,' a Johannine marker of criterion.
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐνοὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the criterion that follows.
φανεράmanifestNominativepredicate adjective (neuter pl.)φανερός: 'manifest, evident'; the two families are made plain.
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb (neuter pl. subject, sg. verb)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
τὰtheNominativearticle with τέκνα
τέκναchildrenNominativesubject of ἐστιντέκνον: 'child'; the children of God.
τοῦofGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationshipθεός: God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle with τέκνα
τέκναchildrenNominativesubject (second member)τέκνον: 'child'; the children of the devil — the antithetical family.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with διαβόλου
διαβόλουdevilGenitivegenitive of relationshipδιάβολος: 'the devil'.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every'.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
μὴnotnegative with the participleμή: the negative proper to participles/non-indicatives.
ποιῶνdoingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; the one whose life lacks righteousness.
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect object of ποιῶνδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'.
οὐκnotnegative with ἔστιν
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of'; belonging to God's family.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θεός: God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding second criterion)
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
μὴnotnegative with the participleμή: negative with participle.
ἀγαπῶνlovingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (subject, gapping ἔστιν)→ durative present (habitual)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; brotherly love as the second mark of God's children.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with ἀδελφὸν
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶνἀδελφός: 'brother'; the fellow believer.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
11
Ὅτι αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἠκούσατε ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ἵνα ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους·
For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
The 'message from the beginning' (cf. 1:5) is stated as the love-command. The ὅτι links back to v.10's mention of loving one's brother, and the section unfolds its meaning.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Ὅτιforconjunction (causal/explanatory)ὅτι: 'because, for'; grounds the love-criterion just stated.
αὕτηthisNominativesubject of ἐστὶν (forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'this'; anticipates the ἵνα-clause content.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
ἡtheNominativearticle with ἀγγελία
ἀγγελίαmessageNominativepredicate nominativeἀγγελία: 'message, announcement'; cf. 1:5 — the gospel proclamation.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἠκούσατε)ὅς: relative pronoun.
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the original proclamation received.
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (temporal)ἀπό: 'from'; ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς = from the start of their Christian hearing.
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning'; the foundational gospel message.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing content clause (epexegetical)ἵνα: here explains the content of the message.
ἀγαπῶμενwe should lovePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀγαπάωsubjunctive in content clause→ durative present (ongoing love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the command at the heart of the message.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; mutual love within the community.
12
οὐ καθὼς Κάϊν ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἦν καὶ ἔσφαξεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ· καὶ χάριν τίνος ἔσφαξεν αὐτόν; ὅτι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρὰ ἦν, τὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ δίκαια.
not as Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
Cain is the archetype of the hating, murderous 'child of the devil' — the dark foil to the love-command. His motive (envy of his brother's righteousness) exposes the root of the world's hatred (v.13).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
οὐnotnegative (elliptical, with καθὼς)
καθὼςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'as'; 'not as Cain' — the negative pattern.
ΚάϊνCainNominativesubject of ἦνΚάϊν: indeclinable Hebrew name; here nominative as subject (the first murderer, Gen 4).
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of'; origin/belonging.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with πονηροῦ
πονηροῦevil oneGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival adjective)πονηρός: 'evil'; ὁ πονηρός = 'the evil one,' the devil (cf. 2:13–14).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ imperfect (a settled condition)εἰμί: 'be'; Cain's belonging to the evil one.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσφαξενmurderedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σφάζωmain verb→ constative aoristσφάζω: 'slay, slaughter' (often of sacrificial killing); a brutal word for Cain's deed.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with ἀδελφὸν
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of ἔσφαξενἀδελφός: 'brother'; Abel.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χάρινfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause)χάριν: 'for the sake of, because of'; χάριν τίνος = 'on what account, why.'
τίνοςwhatGenitiveinterrogative pronoun (object of χάριν)τίς: 'what'; the question's cause.
ἔσφαξενdid he murderAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σφάζωverb of the rhetorical question→ constative aoristσφάζω: 'slay'; repeated for the rhetorical question.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔσφαξεν
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal, answering the question)ὅτι: causal — the answer.
τὰtheNominativearticle with ἔργα
ἔργαworksNominativesubject of ἦνἔργον: 'work, deed'; Cain's deeds.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
πονηρὰevilNominativepredicate adjective (neuter pl.)πονηρός: 'evil, wicked'; the nature of Cain's deeds.
ἦνwereImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (neuter pl. subject)→ imperfect (a settled state)εἰμί: 'be'.
τὰthoseNominativearticle substantival (τὰ … = 'the [works]')
δὲbutpostpositive adversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; the contrast with Abel's works.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with ἀδελφοῦ
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of possession (his brother's works)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; Abel, the righteous one.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
δίκαιαrighteousNominativepredicate adjective (gapping ἦν)δίκαιος: 'righteous'; Abel's deeds provoked Cain's envy and hatred.
13
καὶ μὴ θαυμάζετε, ἀδελφοί, εἰ μισεῖ ὑμᾶς ὁ κόσμος.
And do not marvel, brothers, if the world hates you.
The lesson of Cain applied: the world's hatred of believers is the Cain-pattern at large; it is to be expected, not wondered at (cf. John 15:18–19).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative with imperativeμή: prohibitive negative.
θαυμάζετεmarvelPres Act Impv 2 Pl · θαυμάζωprohibitive imperative→ durative present (stop / do not go on marveling)θαυμάζω: 'wonder, marvel'; do not be astonished at the world's hatred.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the only such address in the epistle.
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition, assumed real)εἰ: 'if'; the hatred is treated as a present reality.
μισεῖhatesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μισέωverb of conditional clause→ durative present (ongoing hatred)μισέω: 'hate'; the world's settled hostility.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of μισεῖ
ὁtheNominativearticle with κόσμος
κόσμοςworldNominativesubject of μισεῖκόσμος: 'world'; the Cain-like, hostile order.
14
ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι μεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν, ὅτι ἀγαπῶμεν τοὺς ἀδελφούς· ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν μένει ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ.
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. The one who does not love abides in death.
Over against the hating world, believers have a present assurance: love for the brothers is the evidence that one has already crossed from death to life. Its absence is the mark of remaining in death.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject pronoun (emphatic)ἐγώ (pl.): emphatic 'we' — believers over against the world.
οἴδαμενknowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present forceοἶδα: 'know'; the believer's settled assurance.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause
μεταβεβήκαμενwe have passedPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · μεταβαίνωverb of object clause→ perfect (accomplished transition, abiding state)μεταβαίνω: 'cross over, pass'; the decisive transfer from death to life (cf. John 5:24).
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)ἐκ: 'out of'.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with θανάτου
θανάτουdeathGenitiveobject of ἐκθάνατος: 'death'; the realm of spiritual death left behind.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)εἰς: 'into'.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ζωήν
ζωήνlifeAccusativeobject of εἰςζωή: 'life'; eternal life, the realm now entered.
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal — the evidence)ὅτι: causal; love is the evidential ground of the assurance.
ἀγαπῶμενwe lovePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀγαπάωverb of causal clause→ durative present (ongoing love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; brotherly love as the proof of life.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with ἀδελφούς
ἀδελφούςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶμενἀδελφός: 'brother'; fellow believers.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
μὴnotnegative with participleμή: negative with participle.
ἀγαπῶνlovingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the one without love.
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative present (remains)μένω: 'remain, abide'; he stays in the realm of death.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle with θανάτῳ
θανάτῳdeathDativeobject of ἐνθάνατος: 'death'; spiritual death, the loveless state.
15
πᾶς ὁ μισῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἀνθρωποκτόνος ἐστίν, καὶ οἴδατε ὅτι πᾶς ἀνθρωποκτόνος οὐκ ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον ἐν αὐτῷ μένουσαν.
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Hatred is murder in essence (cf. Matt 5:21–22) — the inner Cain. And the murderer, by definition, lacks the indwelling eternal life that love evidences.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every'.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
μισῶνhatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μισέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (habitual)μισέω: 'hate'; the inner counterpart of Cain's deed.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with ἀδελφὸν
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of μισῶνἀδελφός: 'brother'.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀνθρωποκτόνοςmurdererNominativepredicate nominativeἀνθρωποκτόνος: 'man-slayer, murderer'; used of the devil in John 8:44 — the hater bears his family likeness.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present forceοἶδα: 'know'.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause
πᾶςeveryNominativeadjective with ἀνθρωποκτόνοςπᾶς: 'every'; 'no murderer' (with the negative).
ἀνθρωποκτόνοςmurdererNominativesubject of ἔχειἀνθρωποκτόνος: 'murderer'.
οὐκnotnegative with ἔχει
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωverb of object clause→ durative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'.
ζωὴνlifeAccusativedirect object of ἔχειζωή: 'life'; eternal life.
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting'; the life proper to the children of God.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — the murderer.
μένουσανabidingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · μένωattributive participle modifying ζωὴν→ durative present (continual abiding)μένω: 'remain, abide'; eternal life that abides — the hater has none.
16
ἐν τούτῳ ἐγνώκαμεν τὴν ἀγάπην, ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἔθηκεν· καὶ ἡμεῖς ὀφείλομεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν τὰς ψυχὰς θεῖναι.
By this we have known love: that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
Love is defined christologically — by the cross. Christ's self-giving becomes the pattern and the measure of the believer's obligation toward the brothers, the positive counterpart to Cain's murder.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)ἐν: ἐν τούτῳ = 'by this,' here pointing forward to the ὅτι-clause.
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐνοὗτος: 'this'; anticipating Christ's self-sacrifice.
ἐγνώκαμενwe have knownPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ perfect (knowledge gained, still held)γινώσκω: 'know'; the cross is where love is truly known.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ἀγάπην
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of ἐγνώκαμενἀγάπη: 'love'; love itself, defined by the cross.
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical — the content)ὅτι: explains what ἐν τούτῳ refers to.
ἐκεῖνοςthat OneNominativesubject of ἔθηκενἐκεῖνος: 'that one' — Christ.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (benefit/substitution)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of'; the redemptive 'for us.'
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ψυχὴν
ψυχὴνlifeAccusativedirect object of ἔθηκενψυχή: 'soul, life'; τὴν ψυχὴν θεῖναι = 'to lay down one's life' (cf. John 10:11).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἔθηκενlaid downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιverb of content clause→ constative aorist (the single act of the cross)τίθημι: 'put, lay down'; τίθημι τὴν ψυχήν, idiom for self-sacrifice unto death.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (drawing the inference)
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject pronoun (emphatic)ἐγώ (pl.): emphatic 'we' — the obligation falls on us.
ὀφείλομενoughtPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ὀφείλωmain verb (with infinitive)→ durative present (standing obligation)ὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated'; a moral debt grounded in Christ's example.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (benefit)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of'.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with ἀδελφῶν
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitiveobject of ὑπέρἀδελφός: 'brother'; fellow believers.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with ψυχὰς
ψυχὰςlivesAccusativedirect object of θεῖναιψυχή: 'life'; our own lives, to be laid down for others.
θεῖναιto lay downAor Act Inf · τίθημιcomplementary infinitive (with ὀφείλομεν)→ constative aoristτίθημι: 'lay down'; the believer's self-giving love after Christ's pattern.
17
ὃς δ’ ἂν ἔχῃ τὸν βίον τοῦ κόσμου καὶ θεωρῇ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχοντα καὶ κλείσῃ τὰ σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ, πῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ;
But whoever has the world's goods and sees his brother in need and shuts his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
The lofty ideal of laying down one's life is brought down to the ordinary test of sharing material goods. Withholding compassion exposes the absence of God's love within.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ὃςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅς: relative pronoun; ὃς ἂν = 'whoever.'
δ’butpostpositive adversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; the contrast to the ideal of v.16.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive, indefinite)ἄν: marks the indefinite/contingent relative clause.
ἔχῃhasPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔχωsubjunctive in indefinite relative clause→ durative presentἔχω: 'have, possess'.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with βίον
βίονgoodsAccusativedirect object of ἔχῃβίος: 'livelihood, means, goods'; here material possessions (not ζωή, 'life').
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with κόσμου
κόσμουworldGenitivegenitive (the world's resources)κόσμος: 'world'; here neutral — worldly means/livelihood.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θεωρῇseesPres Act Subj 3 Sg · θεωρέωsubjunctive (second clause)→ durative presentθεωρέω: 'observe, behold'; a sustained looking — he is aware of the need.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with ἀδελφὸν
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of θεωρῇἀδελφός: 'brother'.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
χρείανneedAccusativedirect object of ἔχονταχρεία: 'need, want'; material want.
ἔχονταhavingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔχωadjectival participle modifying ἀδελφὸν→ durative presentἔχω: 'have'; the brother 'having need' — in want.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κλείσῃshutsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κλείωsubjunctive (third clause)→ constative aorist (the decisive closing)κλείω: 'shut, close'; to shut up one's compassion — refuse mercy.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with σπλάγχνα
σπλάγχναheartAccusativedirect object of κλείσῃσπλάγχνα: lit. 'inward parts, bowels'; the seat of compassion/affection — 'heart.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (separation)ἀπό: 'from'; shutting it 'away from' the brother.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἀπόαὐτοῦ: 'him' — the needy brother.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (rhetorical)πῶς: 'how?'; the rhetorical question expecting 'it cannot.'
ἡtheNominativearticle with ἀγάπη
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject of μένειἀγάπη: 'love'; the love of/from God.
τοῦofGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (source/relationship — God's love)θεός: God; 'the love of God' — likely God's love at work in the believer.
μένειabidePres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ durative presentμένω: 'remain, abide'; love cannot truly abide where compassion is withheld.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — the uncompassionate one.
18
Τεκνία, μὴ ἀγαπῶμεν λόγῳ μηδὲ τῇ γλώσσῃ ἀλλὰ ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ.
Little children, let us love not in word or in tongue but in deed and truth.
The section's conclusion: genuine love is active and sincere, not merely verbal. The contrast word/tongue vs. deed/truth closes the love-paragraph and prepares for the assurance of vv.19–24.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Τεκνίαlittle childrenVocativevocative of addressτεκνίον: 'little child'; the tender address again.
μὴnotnegative with hortatory subjunctiveμή: prohibitive negative.
ἀγαπῶμενlet us lovePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀγαπάωhortatory subjunctive→ durative present (ongoing love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the hortatory 'let us love.'
λόγῳin wordDativedative of manner/meansλόγος: 'word'; mere verbal profession of love.
μηδὲnornegative conjunctionμηδέ: 'nor, and not'.
τῇtheDativearticle with γλώσσῃ
γλώσσῃtongueDativedative of manner/meansγλῶσσα: 'tongue'; speech, mere talk.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the decisive contrast.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)ἐν: 'in'; in the realm of deed and truth.
ἔργῳdeedDativeobject of ἐνἔργον: 'work, deed'; love that acts.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativeobject of ἐνἀλήθεια: 'truth'; genuine, sincere love (not feigned).
19
καὶ ἐν τούτῳ γνωσόμεθα ὅτι ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν, καὶ ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πείσομεν τὴν καρδίαν ἡμῶν,
And by this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him,
Active love (v.18) yields assurance: by it we know we belong to the truth and can quiet our self-accusing heart in God's presence. Begins the assurance-section.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)ἐν: ἐν τούτῳ = 'by this' (the love just enjoined).
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐνοὗτος: 'this'; loving in deed and truth.
γνωσόμεθαwe shall knowFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ predictive futureγινώσκω: 'know'; coming to assured knowledge of our standing.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of'; deriving from / belonging to.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with ἀληθείας
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ἐκἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the realm/sphere to which believers belong.
ἐσμένwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of object clause→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἔμπροσθεν: 'before, in the presence of'.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθεναὐτοῦ: 'him' — God.
πείσομενwe shall assureFut Act Indic 1 Pl · πείθωmain verb→ predictive futureπείθω: 'persuade, convince'; here 'assure, set at rest' — quiet the self-accusing heart.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with καρδίαν
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of πείσομενκαρδία: 'heart'; here the conscience that may accuse.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
20
ὅτι ἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία, ὅτι μείζων ἐστὶν ὁ θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν καὶ γινώσκει πάντα.
because, if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
The verse is grammatically knotty (the double ὅτι). The sense: even when conscience condemns, God — greater than our heart and knowing all — gives ground for confidence, not despair. His omniscience reassures rather than terrifies the loving believer.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal, with resumptive second ὅτι)ὅτι: the first ὅτι grounds v.19; the construction is much debated.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; the contingent self-condemnation.
καταγινώσκῃcondemnsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · καταγινώσκωsubjunctive in conditional clause→ durative presentκαταγινώσκω: 'condemn, find fault with'; the accusing conscience.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive (object of καταγινώσκω) / possessive with καρδίαἡμῶν: 'our/us'; construed with the verb and/or the heart.
ἡtheNominativearticle with καρδία
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of καταγινώσκῃκαρδία: 'heart'; the conscience as accuser.
ὅτιthatconjunction (resumptive/causal, introducing apodosis-ground)ὅτι: the second ὅτι — 'that/because' God is greater; perhaps resumptive after the conditional.
μείζωνgreaterNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)μέγας (comp. μείζων): 'greater'; God surpasses the verdict of our heart.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
ὁtheNominativearticle with θεὸς
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἐστὶνθεός: God; greater than the conscience.
τῆςthan theGenitivearticle with καρδίας
καρδίαςheartGenitivegenitive of comparison (than our heart)καρδία: 'heart'; the standard surpassed by God.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γινώσκειknowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ durative present (omniscience)γινώσκω: 'know'; God knows all — including the love that the heart overlooks.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of γινώσκειπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of what God knows.
21
Ἀγαπητοί, ἐὰν ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν μὴ καταγινώσκῃ, παρρησίαν ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν θεόν,
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God,
The positive case: a heart not condemning yields παρρησία — bold, free access to God. The ground of confident prayer that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἈγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the affectionate address.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'.
ἡtheNominativearticle with καρδία
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of καταγινώσκῃκαρδία: 'heart'; the conscience.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
μὴnotnegative with subjunctiveμή: negative proper to the subjunctive.
καταγινώσκῃcondemnsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · καταγινώσκωsubjunctive in conditional clause→ durative presentκαταγινώσκω: 'condemn'; here the conscience that does not accuse.
παρρησίανconfidenceAccusativedirect object of ἔχομενπαρρησία: 'boldness, confidence, freedom of speech'; frank access to God.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (apodosis)→ durative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/relation)πρός: 'toward'; access/relation to God.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with θεόν
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of πρόςθεός: God; the one before whom we have boldness.
22
καὶ ὃ ἐὰν αἰτῶμεν λαμβάνομεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηροῦμεν καὶ τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ποιοῦμεν.
and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what is pleasing in his sight.
Confidence flowers into answered prayer. The ground (ὅτι) is obedience and God-pleasing conduct — not the cause of grace but the mark of the abiding relationship within which prayer is granted.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of αἰτῶμεν)ὅς: relative; ὃ ἐὰν = 'whatever.'
ἐὰνeverparticle (= ἄν, indefinite relative)ἐάν: here for ἄν, making the relative indefinite.
αἰτῶμενwe askPres Act Subj 1 Pl · αἰτέωsubjunctive in indefinite relative clause→ durative presentαἰτέω: 'ask, request'; prayer to God.
λαμβάνομενwe receivePres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb→ durative/customary presentλαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; the answered request.
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπό: 'from'.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἀπόαὐτοῦ: 'him' — God.
ὅτιbecauseconjunction (causal)ὅτι: causal — the reason prayer is answered.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with ἐντολὰς
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of τηροῦμενἐντολή: 'commandment'; God's commands, summarized in v.23.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τηροῦμενwe keepPres Act Indic 1 Pl · τηρέωverb of causal clause→ durative present (ongoing obedience)τηρέω: 'keep, observe, guard'; faithful obedience.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle substantival with ἀρεστὰ
ἀρεστὰpleasingAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of ποιοῦμεν)ἀρεστός: 'pleasing, acceptable'; what pleases God (cf. John 8:29).
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the sight of'.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιοναὐτοῦ: 'him' — God.
ποιοῦμενwe doPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ποιέωverb of causal clause→ durative presentποιέω: 'do, practice'.
23
καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἐντολὴ αὐτοῦ, ἵνα πιστεύσωμεν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, καθὼς ἔδωκεν ἐντολὴν ἡμῖν.
And this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave us commandment.
The 'commandments' of v.22 are gathered into one twofold command: faith in the Son and love for one another — the two great Johannine imperatives, inseparably joined.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὕτηthisNominativesubject of ἐστὶν (forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'this'; anticipates the ἵνα-clause.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'.
ἡtheNominativearticle with ἐντολὴ
ἐντολὴcommandmentNominativepredicate nominativeἐντολή: 'commandment'; the single command, twofold in content.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source (God's commandment)
ἵναthatconjunction (epexegetical — content of the command)ἵνα: explains the content of the commandment.
πιστεύσωμενwe should believeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · πιστεύωsubjunctive in content clause→ constative aorist (a decisive trusting)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; πιστεύω + dative = trust/give credence to the name.
τῷtheDativearticle with ὀνόματι
ὀνόματιnameDativedative object of πιστεύσωμενὄνομα: 'name'; the name = the person and revealed character of the Son.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with υἱοῦ
υἱοῦSonGenitivegenitive of possession (whose name)υἱός: 'son'; the Son of God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to υἱοῦἸησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the Son's personal name.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive in appositionΧριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; here functioning as name-title.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joining the two commands)
ἀγαπῶμενwe should lovePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀγαπάωsubjunctive in content clause→ durative present (ongoing love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the present (vs. aorist πιστεύσωμεν) suits love's continual character.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'.
καθὼςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; conforming to the command given.
ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of comparative clause→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; God (or Christ) gave the commandment.
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκενἐντολή: 'commandment'; the love-command (cf. John 13:34).
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (dative of recipient)
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καὶ ὁ τηρῶν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ μένει καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι μένει ἐν ἡμῖν, ἐκ τοῦ πνεύματος οὗ ἡμῖν ἔδωκεν.
And the one who keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him; and by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he gave us.
The chapter closes on mutual indwelling: obedience is the sphere of abiding in God and God in us, and the gift of the Spirit is the inner witness of that indwelling — anticipating chapter 4's testing of the spirits.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
τηρῶνkeepingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · τηρέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durative present (ongoing obedience)τηρέω: 'keep, observe'; the obedient believer.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with ἐντολὰς
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of τηρῶνἐντολή: 'commandment'.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — God.
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative present (continual abiding)μένω: 'remain, abide'; the believer abides in God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (gapping μένει) — God in himαὐτός: 'he' — God, abiding reciprocally in the believer.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτῷ: 'him' — the believer; the mutual indwelling.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)ἐν: ἐν τούτῳ = 'by this.'
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐνοὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the gift of the Spirit.
γινώσκομενwe knowPres Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ durative presentγινώσκω: 'know'; the assurance of God's indwelling.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause
μένειhe abidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωverb of object clause→ durative presentμένω: 'remain, abide'; God abiding in us.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἡμῖνusDativeobject of ἐν
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (means/source)ἐκ: 'out of, by'; the Spirit as the means/source of assurance.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with πνεύματος
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitiveobject of ἐκπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, the inner witness (cf. 4:13).
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted to gen. of antecedent)ὅς: relative; the case is by attraction to πνεύματος (object of ἔδωκεν).
ἡμῖνusDativeindirect object of ἔδωκεν
ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the gift of the Spirit)δίδωμι: 'give'; God gave the Spirit — the basis of assured fellowship.