King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:23 Mean?

1 John 3:23 in the King James Version says “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gav...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

1 John 3:23 · KJV

FaithLove

Context

21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. John summarizes God's essential commands. "And this is his commandment" (kai autē estin hē entolē autou)—singular "commandment" with two inseparable components. First: "That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ" (hina pisteusōmen tō onomati tou huiou autou Iēsou Christou). Faith in Christ is commanded, not merely suggested. "The name" represents the full revelation of who Christ is—God's Son, Savior, Lord. Saving faith involves trusting in Christ's person and work.

Second: "and love one another" (kai agapōmen allēlous). Faith and love are joined—genuine faith produces love; genuine love stems from faith. These aren't sequential (first faith, later love) but simultaneous aspects of Christian life. "As he gave us commandment" (kathōs edōken entolēn hēmin) refers to Jesus's teaching (John 13:34, 15:12, 17). Christ commanded both faith in Him and love for one another.

This verse is remarkable—belief is commanded, not merely invited. This challenges the notion that faith is merely human decision; it's divinely commanded response to revelation. Yet God also enables the obedience He commands, granting faith (Ephesians 2:8) and love (Romans 5:5) to those He regenerates. The linking of faith and love shows Christianity's irreducible dimensions—vertical relationship with God through faith, horizontal relationship with others through love. Both are essential; neither alone suffices.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judaism emphasized Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5): loving God with all one's being. Jesus added loving neighbor as second great commandment (Mark 12:28-31). John's formulation includes faith in Christ as the foundation for both loving God and loving others. This was Christianity's distinctive claim—faith in Jesus the Messiah was not optional extra but central command.

For first-century Jews considering Christianity, believing in Jesus as God's Son was the crucial hurdle. For Gentiles, monotheism and moral transformation were challenging. John presents both faith and love as divine commands, not human innovations. This grounds Christian ethics in divine authority—we love not merely because it's nice but because God commands it. We believe not merely because it seems right but because God commands it.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding faith in Christ as a command (not merely an option) affect your evangelism and discipleship?
  2. What's the relationship between believing on Christ's name and loving one another—can you truly do one without the other?
  3. How do you obey the command to believe when faith itself is God's gift (Ephesians 2:8)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
καὶ1 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

αὕτη2 of 22

“this”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστὶν3 of 22

“is”

G2076

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

ἡ4 of 22
G3588

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

ἐντολὴν5 of 22

“commandment”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

αὐτοῦ6 of 22

“his”

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

ἵνα7 of 22

“That”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

πιστεύσωμεν8 of 22

“we should believe”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

τῷ9 of 22
G3588

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

ὀνόματι10 of 22

“on the name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ11 of 22
G3588

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

υἱοῦ12 of 22

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

αὐτοῦ13 of 22

“his”

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

Ἰησοῦ14 of 22

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ15 of 22

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

καὶ16 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

ἀγαπῶμεν17 of 22

“love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

ἀλλήλους18 of 22

“one another”

G240

one another

καθὼς19 of 22

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἔδωκεν20 of 22

“he gave”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἐντολὴν21 of 22

“commandment”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

ἡμῖν22 of 22

“us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

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 3:23 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 3:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 6:29John 13:341 Peter 1:22John 15:121 Peter 4:81 John 3:11

Test Your Knowledge

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

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