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1 John 3:17

in 1 John 3

If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?

KJV

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

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This verse in 1 John 3

Commentary

16 notes on this verse
But whoso hath this world’s good - Has property - called “this world’s good,” or a good pertaining to this world, because it is of value to us only as it meets our wants this side of the grave; and perhaps also because it is sought supremely by the people of the world.

This site's exposition

shutteth up his bowels of compassion

on 1 John 3:17-18

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him brings the cross-shaped standard of verse 16 down to the ordinary case of material need shut out by a closed heart. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth names the letter's own test for every profession of love, words weighed against the practical help they either produce or fail to produce.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers5 voices

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on 1 John · Written before 550.

proposed

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us, and we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how …

A commentator

Augustine of Hippo

Ten Homilies on 1 John 5 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

But thou wilt say to me, And by what am I to know it? For to what it is perfected, we have heard; whence it begins, let us hear. He goes on to say: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have hunger, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how can the love of God dwell in him?" Lo, whence charity begins withal! If thou art not yet equal to the dying for thy brother, be thou even now equal to the giving of thy means to thy brother. Even now let charity smite thy bowels, that not of vainglory thou shouldest do it, but of the innermost marrow of mercy; that thou consider him, now in want. For if thy superfluities thou canst not give to thy brother, canst thou lay down thy life for thy brother? There lies thy money in thy bosom, which thieves may take from thee; and though thieves do not take it, by dying thou wilt leave it, even if it leave not thee while living: what wilt thou do with it? Thy brother hungers, he is in necessity: be-like he is in suspense, is distressed by his creditor: he is thy brother, alike ye are bought, one is the price paid for you, ye are both redeemed by the blood of Christ: see whether thou have mercy, if thou have this world's means.

A commentator

Augustine of Hippo

Ten Homilies on 1 John 5 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

Perchance thou sayest, "What concerns it me? Am I to give my money, that he may not suffer trouble?" If this be the answer thy heart makes to thee, the love of the Father abideth not in thee. If the love of the Father abide not in thee, thou art not born of God. How boastest thou to be a Christian? Thou hast the name, and hast not the deeds. But if the work shall follow the name, let any call thee pagan, show thou by deeds that thou art a Christian. For if by deeds thou dost not show thyself a Christian, all men may call thee a Christian yet; what doth the name profit thee where the thing is not forthcoming?

A commentator

Cyprian

Treatise VIII. On Works and Alms · Written before 258.

proposed

But neither let the consideration, dearest brethren, restrain and recall the Christian from good and righteous works, that any one should fancy that he could be excused for the benefit of his children; since in spiritual expenditure we ought to think of Christ, who has declared that He receives them; and not prefer our fellow-servants, but the Lord, to our children, since He Himself instructs and warns us, saying, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Also in Deuteronomy, for the strengthening of faith and the love of God, similar things are written: "Who say," he saith, "unto their father or mother, I have not known thee; neither did they acknowledge their children, these have observed Thy words, and kept Thy covenant." For if we love God with our whole heart, we ought not to prefer either our parents or children to God. And this also John lays down in his epistle, that the love of God is not in them whom we see unwilling to labour for the poor. "Whoso," says he, "hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" For if by almsgiving to the poor we are lending to God-and when it is given to the least it is given to Christ-there is no ground for any one preferring earthly things to heavenly, nor for considering human things before divine.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

CATENA · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

When you see someone in need, do not run away, but think to yourself, if that were you, would you want to be treated like that?
9 more voices on this verse

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

Cyprian

Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews · Written before 258.

proposed

Also in the same place: "The administration of this service has not only supplied that which is lacking to the saints, but has abounded by much giving of thanks unto God."

The Medieval Church3 voices

A commentator

Gregory the Dialogist

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 27 · Written before 604.

proposed

But behold, no one persecutes us even unto death. How then can we prove whether we love our enemies? Yet there is something that ought to be done in the peace of holy Church, by which it may become clear whether we would be able to die for love in a time of persecution. Certainly the same John says: "He who has the substance of this world, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him?" Hence also John the Baptist says: "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none." Therefore, he who in a time of tranquility does not give his tunic for God, when will he give his life in persecution? Therefore, let the virtue of charity, that it may be unconquered in disturbance, be nourished through mercy in tranquility, so that one may first learn to spend one's possessions for almighty God, and afterward oneself.

A commentator

Bede

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles · Written before 735.

proposed

Whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, etc. Behold where love begins. If you are not yet fit to die for your brother, be at least fit to give from your possessions to your brother. For if you do not sympathize …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 1 John · Written before 1107.

proposed

Having finished about Cain and about evil deeds similar to his deed, he again turns to love, and says that love inclined the Lord to lay down His soul for us, and that following His example we too must lay down our souls for the …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

It pleases God that some of the Christian brethren should be poor, for the exercise of the charity and love of those that are rich. And it pleases the same God to give to some of the Christian brethren this world's good, that they may exercise their grace in communicating to the poor saints.
But whoso hath this world's good,.... The possessions of this world, worldly substance, the temporal good things of it; for there are some things in it, which are honestly, pleasantly, and profitably good, when used lawfully, and not abused, otherwise they are to the owner's hurt: or "the living of this world"; that which the men of the world give up themselves to, are bent upon, and pursue after; or on which men live, and by which life is maintained, and preserved, and made comfortable in the present state of things; such as meat, drink, apparel, money, houses, lands, &c.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

The "bowels" mean the heart, the seat of compassion. how--How is it possible that "the love of (that is, 'to') God dwelleth (Greek, 'abideth') in him?" Our superfluities should yield to the necessities; our comforts, and even our necessaries in some measure, should yield to the extreme wants of our brethren. "Faith gives Christ to me; love flowing from faith gives me to my neighbor."

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

But whoso hath this worlds good - Here is a test of this love; if we do not divide our bread with the hungry, we certainly would not lay down our life for him. Whatever love we may pretend to mankind, if we are not charitable and benevolent, we give the lie to our profession. If we have not bowels of compassion, we have not the love of God in us; if we shut up our bowels against the poor, we shut Christ out of our hearts, and ourselves out of heaven. This world’s good. - Του βιον του κοσμου· The life of this world, i.e. the means of life; for so βιος is often used. See Mar 12:44; Luk 8:43; Luk 15:12, Luk 15:30; Luk 21:4, and other places. How dwelleth the love of God in him? - That is, it cannot possibly dwell in such a person. Hardheartedness and God’s love never meet together, much less can they be associated.

Modern Voices1 voice

A commentator

GK Chesterton

Alarms and Discursions, The Man and His Newspaper (1910) (1910)

proposed

He had slowly built up in the village a small business as a photographer, and he was engaged to a girl at one of the lodges, whom he loved with passion. "I'm the sort that 'ad better marry," he said; and for all his frail …

The words behind it

30 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.52 works1 John 2:15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.51 works1 John 4:20If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.32 worksIsaiah 58:7–10Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?31 worksDeuteronomy 15:7–11If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.30 worksProverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.28 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Luke 3:11John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”25 works2 Corinthians 9:5–9So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.20 worksJames 2:15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.19 worksRomans 12:13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.19 works2 Corinthians 8:14–15At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.18 works1 Timothy 6:17–18Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.16 works2 Corinthians 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.11 worksActs 2:45Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.11 worksProverbs 28:9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.10 works1 Corinthians 16:1Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:10 works1 Timothy 6:18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,10 worksEcclesiastes 11:3If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.10 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Proverbs 19:17

    Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 6:10

      For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Proverbs 28:27

      Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

    • Luke 6:38

      Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured…

    • 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

      Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

  • Through

    Hebrews 13:16

    And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

    it leads to

Where this verse is studied

About 1 John

The Last Supper, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Last Supper, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
1 John: the study guide →Read 1 John 3 →
This page draws on 15 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on 1 John 5; Bede, Commentary on the Catholic Epistles; Cyprian, Treatise VIII. On Works and Alms; Cyprian, Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews; GK Chesterton, Alarms and Discursions, The Man and His Newspaper (1910); Gregory the Dialogist, Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 27; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, CATENA; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on 1 John and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 John.

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