1 John 3:11
The James Method Verse Mapping
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1 John 3:11 (NIV, 1984 version):
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
Here’s the concept map I created for these verses:
Here is an image of my verse map for 1 John 3:11. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 3:11 (NIV 1984)
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
Translations (key differences bolded)
YLT: because this is the message that ye did hear from the beginning, that we may love one another,
NET: For this is the gospel message that you have heard from the beginning: that we should love one another,
*Almost all are very similar only differing in minor words.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: Reminding of Jesus’ message
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word.
Message
Greek: αγγελια (angelia)
Definition: announcement, news, proclamation, command, order
Heard
Greek: ακουω (akouo)
Definition: to consider what is or has been said, to understand, to perceive by the ear what is announced in one’s presence
Beginning
Greek: αρχη (arche)
Definition: that by which anything begins to be, the origin
Love
Greek: αγαπαω (agapao)
Definition: to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
One another
Greek: αλληλων (allelon)
Definition: reciprocally, mutually
Cross References
1 John 2:5-11: 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Old command - obey God’s word (command from the beginning); new command - love your brother and sister = live in the light
John 13:34-35: 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
New command - love one another - proof that you are disciples
John 15:12: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Love one another as Christ has loved you - Christ’s command
1 Thessalonians 4:9: Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
We are taught by God to love one another
1 John 4:21: And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Command is to love your brother and sister if you love God
Matthew 7:24: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
We are wise if we hear Christ’s words and put them into practice
Matthew 5:43-48: 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Love your enemies - this sets you apart from evil ones
View of God
God has provided a clear message to his people from the very beginning. His message is that we must love one another. This love is a sign that we love God as he has loved us.
View of Man/Self
We have been given the chance to hear God’s message. That message is that we should love one another. We do this in response to God’s love for us and our desire to be obedient to his command.
Reflection and Application
The command to love one another is seen throughout the New Testament. Love is one of the key marks of a Christian. Our love for one another provides proof that we are disciples, and our love for enemies sets us apart from the rest of the world. This love we have stems from our love for God and his love for us. We all as believers need to not only hear his command but also put it into practice.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you have put in your people a heart of love and that you are the example of perfect love. Help me as I go throughout my day to show your love to those around me - to my husband, my family, my friends, my fellow church members, my neighbors, my KICKS kids, and yes, even my enemies. Give me a love that surpasses my understanding.