King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:18 Mean?

1 John 3:18 in the King James Version says “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

1 John 3:18 · KJV

LoveTruth

Context

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?

18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. assure: Gr. persuade

20

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. John calls for authentic love demonstrated in action. "My little children" (teknia mou) again expresses pastoral affection. "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue" (mē agapōmen logō mēde tē glōssē)—the negative command targets mere verbal profession. Logos (word) and glōssa (tongue) emphasize spoken claims without corresponding action.

"But in deed and in truth" (alla en ergō kai alētheia)—ergon (ἔργον) means work or deed, concrete action. Alētheia (ἀλήθεια) means truth or reality. Genuine love manifests in actual deeds and true reality, not merely pleasant words. The conjunction "and" links deed and truth—love must be both active (deed) and genuine (truth). Hypocritical actions don't qualify, nor do sincere feelings lacking concrete expression.

This principle pervades Scripture. James condemns faith without works (James 2:14-26). Jesus taught that obedience, not mere profession, proves love for Him (John 14:15, 21). Paul described love in terms of concrete actions (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). John's emphasis on deeds doesn't contradict salvation by grace through faith; rather, it insists that saving faith produces loving deeds as inevitable fruit. Christianity is irreducibly practical—theology always eventuates in ethics, belief in behavior, doctrine in duty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ancient world, like today, had no shortage of fine-sounding rhetoric divorced from reality. Greek sophists excelled at persuasive speech without moral substance. Stoic philosophers discussed virtue while treating slaves brutally. Religious leaders proclaimed piety while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23). Against this backdrop, Christianity's emphasis on practical love—deed and truth—was remarkable.

The early church's reputation for genuine care for widows, orphans, the sick, and poor gave credibility to their message. Emperor Julian the Apostate (4th century) lamented that "the impious Galileans" (Christians) cared for not only their own poor but pagan poor as well, making Christianity attractive. John's exhortation to love in deed and truth reflected Christianity's practical, transformative nature from its beginning.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you evaluate whether your love is merely in word and tongue or genuinely in deed and truth?
  2. What specific deeds of love toward fellow believers should you be doing that you're currently only talking about?
  3. How does the command to love 'in truth' (genuinely, without hypocrisy) challenge you regarding motivations for your actions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
Τεκνία1 of 11

“little children”

G5040

an infant, i.e., (plural figuratively) darlings (christian converts)

μου,2 of 11

“My”

G3450

of me

μὴ3 of 11

“not”

G3361

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

ἀγαπῶμεν4 of 11

“let us”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

λόγῳ5 of 11

“in word”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

μηδὲ6 of 11

“neither”

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

γλώσσῃ7 of 11

“in tongue”

G1100

the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)

ἀλλ'8 of 11

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἔργῳ9 of 11

“in deed”

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

καὶ10 of 11

“and”

G2532

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

ἀληθείᾳ11 of 11

“in truth”

G225

truth

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 3:18 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 3:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 2:15-16Romans 12:91 Peter 1:22Galatians 5:13Galatians 6:1-21 Corinthians 13:4-7

Test Your Knowledge

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

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