King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:10 Mean?

1 John 3:10 in the King James Version says “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

1 John 3:10 · KJV

Context

8

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. message: or, commandment

12

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Read 1 John 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. John presents two tests distinguishing God's children from the devil's. "In this are manifest" (en toutō phanera estin)—what follows makes visible and identifiable the two spiritual families. The first test: "whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God" (pas ho mē poiōn dikaiosunēn ouk estin ek tou theou). Habitual unrighteousness proves absence of genuine regeneration.

The second test adds a specific application: "neither he that loveth not his brother" (ho mē agapōn ton adelphon autou). Lack of love for fellow believers demonstrates one is not God's child. This introduces the major theme of verses 11-24—brotherly love as evidence of salvation. The present participles ("doeth," "loveth") indicate habitual character, not isolated failures. We all occasionally fail to love perfectly, but those who characteristically lack love for Christians reveal they're unregenerate.

These tests provide assurance and warning. Assurance: if you practice righteousness and love believers, you have evidence of genuine faith. Warning: if you live in unrighteousness and lovelessness, examine whether you truly know Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5). The children of God and children of the devil are distinguished not by claims or feelings but by observable patterns of righteousness and love.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of two families—God's children and the devil's children—reflects Jesus's own teaching (Matthew 13:38, John 8:42-44). First-century Judaism distinguished between faithful Israelites and pagans, but Jesus and the apostles taught that ethnic descent didn't determine spiritual family; regeneration does. This challenged Jewish assumptions about automatic covenant membership through Abrahamic lineage.

The emphasis on loving "his brother" refers primarily to fellow believers, the Christian community. In the Johannine context, "brother" denoted spiritual siblings in God's family. This wasn't excluding love for outsiders (which Jesus commanded, Matthew 5:44) but highlighting that those who despise fellow believers demonstrate they're not truly born of God. The early church's radical love for one another attracted pagan notice ("see how they love one another").

Reflection Questions

  1. What observable patterns in your life demonstrate whether you're a child of God or a child of the devil?
  2. How can you distinguish between occasional failures to love and the habitual lovelessness that indicates unregenerate status?
  3. Why is love for fellow believers specifically highlighted as evidence of genuine salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ἐν1 of 30

“In”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τούτῳ2 of 30

“this”

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

φανερά3 of 30

“manifest”

G5318

shining, i.e., apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally

ἔστιν4 of 30

“are”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὰ5 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνα6 of 30

“the children”

G5043

a child (as produced)

τοῦ7 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεοῦ,8 of 30

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ9 of 30

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ10 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνα11 of 30

“the children”

G5043

a child (as produced)

τοῦ12 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διαβόλου·13 of 30

“of the devil”

G1228

a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

πᾶς14 of 30

“whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ15 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὴ16 of 30

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ποιῶν17 of 30

“doeth”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

δικαιοσύνην18 of 30

“righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

οὐκ19 of 30

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν20 of 30

“are”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐκ21 of 30

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ22 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεοῦ,23 of 30

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ24 of 30

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ25 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὴ26 of 30

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀγαπῶν27 of 30

“he that loveth”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὸν28 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφὸν29 of 30

“brother”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

αὐτοῦ30 of 30
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 3:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 3:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 4:83 John 1:11Luke 6:35Matthew 13:38John 8:441 John 4:21

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 John 3 with CommentaryAll 1 John ChaptersComplete 1 John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes