King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:15 Mean?

1 John 3:15 in the King James Version says “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

1 John 3:15 · KJV

Eternal Life

Context

13

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17

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?

Read 1 John 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. John equates hatred with murder, echoing Jesus's Sermon on the Mount teaching (Matthew 5:21-22). "Whosoever hateth his brother" (pas ho misōn ton adelphon autou)—the present participle indicates habitual hatred. "Is a murderer" (anthrōpoktonos estin)—literally a "man-killer." Hatred is murder in embryo; given opportunity, it produces the actual deed (as with Cain).

This shocking equation reveals sin's inward nature. God judges the heart, not merely external actions. Hatred violates the sixth commandment's spirit even without committing the physical act. This exposes the depth of human depravity—we're all guilty before God because our hearts harbor murderous hatred even when circumstances prevent acting on it. It also demonstrates love's importance—the absence of love (hatred) equates to spiritual murder.

"And ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (kai oidate hoti pas anthrōpoktonos ouk echei zōēn aiōnion en autō menousan). The present participle "abiding" indicates a permanent state. Habitual hatred demonstrates absence of eternal life. This doesn't mean a Christian who momentarily hates loses salvation, but that one characterized by hatred was never regenerated. Eternal life produces love; its absence indicates eternal life's absence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's teaching radically internalized the Law, showing that its demands go beyond external compliance to heart transformation (Matthew 5:21-48). The Pharisees prided themselves on not murdering, but Jesus exposed their murderous hearts. John applies this to Christian communities—you cannot claim to know the God of love while harboring hatred for fellow believers.

The early church's emphasis on love distinguished it from surrounding culture. Roman society accepted hatred of enemies as natural and virtuous. Stoic philosophy promoted apatheia (absence of passion). Christianity's call to love even enemies and especially fellow believers was countercultural. John's stark teaching that hatred equals murder and excludes from eternal life underscored love's absolute necessity in Christian life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that hatred equals murder in God's sight expose your own sinfulness and need for grace?
  2. What hatred do you harbor in your heart toward fellow believers that needs to be confessed and forsaken?
  3. How can you cultivate love for those you're tempted to hate, knowing that habitual hatred indicates absence of eternal life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
πᾶς1 of 20

“Whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ2 of 20
G3588

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

μισῶν3 of 20

“hateth”

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

τὸν4 of 20
G3588

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

ἀδελφὸν5 of 20

“brother”

G80

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

αὐτῷ6 of 20

“him”

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

ἀνθρωποκτόνος7 of 20

“a murderer”

G443

a manslayer

ἐστίν8 of 20

“is”

G2076

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

καὶ9 of 20

“and”

G2532

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

οἴδατε10 of 20

“ye know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι11 of 20

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

πᾶς12 of 20

“Whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἀνθρωποκτόνος13 of 20

“a murderer”

G443

a manslayer

οὐκ14 of 20

“no”

G3756

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

ἔχει15 of 20

“hath”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ζωὴν16 of 20

“life”

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

αἰώνιον17 of 20

“eternal”

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

ἐν18 of 20

“in”

G1722

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

αὐτῷ19 of 20

“him”

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

μένουσαν20 of 20

“abiding”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

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 3:15 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 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:21-22Revelation 21:8Proverbs 26:24-26John 8:44Leviticus 19:16-18Acts 23:14

Test Your Knowledge

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

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