1 John 3:18

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Little children [i.e., dear ones], we should not [merely] claim to love [people], or [even just] talk about it, but [we should love] by what we do [for them] in a genuine way.

Cross References

Romans 12:9

Let [your] love be sincere. Hate whatever is evil. Cling to whatever is good.

1 Peter 1:22

[Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.

Galatians 5:13

For you brothers were called [by God] to enjoy your freedom; but do not use this freedom as an excuse for living a sinful life; instead, use it to render loving service to each other.

Ephesians 4:15

But [instead], we should speak [and practice] truth in a loving way, so that we can, in all respects, grow up [spiritually] into [union with] Christ, who is the head [i.e., of His body, the church].

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We continually remember, in the presence of our God and Father, the work produced by your faith, the labor prompted by your love, and your endurance motivated by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:1

My little children [i.e., dear ones], I am writing this to you so that you will not sin anymore. But if anyone does sin, we have Someone to go to the Father on our behalf; it is Jesus Christ, the [only] righteous One.

2 John 1:1

[This is being written by] the elder to the lady chosen [by God], and to her children [Note: The terms “lady” and “children” here refer to a congregation and the Christians who belong to it. See I Peter 5:13; II John 13], whom I love in the truth. [Note: This phrase probably means “whom I truly love”]. And I am not the only one [to love you], but all those [other congregations] who know the truth [of God], also love you.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I dedicate myself [to you] so that they themselves also may be truly dedicated [to you].

1 John 3:7

Little children [i.e., dear ones], do not allow anyone to lead you astray [from the truth]; the person who continues to do what is right is [considered by God as] righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

3 John 1:1

[This is being written by] the elder to my dear [friend] Gaius, whom I love in the truth. [Note: This probably means “whom I truly love”].

Luke 7:5

for he loves our nation and he is the one who built the synagogue for us.”