What Does 1 John 3:14 Mean in the King James?

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

1 John 3:14 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Love is the visible evidence that the crossing from death into life is already complete.

THE MEANING

This verse meets you in how you receive another person: love is evidence that you have crossed from death into life. The crossing is already complete, while refusing love is described as abiding in death.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It exposes the lie that you can withhold love from a brother and still be abiding in life.

THE ROOT

μεταβεβήκαμεν

metabebēkamen

GROWS FROM

βαίνω

baínō

To go, step, or move.

“passed” in this verse is metabebēkamen. The verb ⁨μεταβαίνω⁩ (metabaínō, “to cross over”) pictures a crossing, not merely a changed label. Its completed form holds that crossing in view as already accomplished; love is the sign of that passage, not its purchase price.

ALSO GROWS

diabaínō: To cross over, pass through.

διαβαίνω

It carries the same movement across a boundary that the verse names between death and life.

básis: A step, footing, or base.

βάσις

It keeps the root’s sense of movement and footing in view: the verse speaks of a passage with a present result, not an abstract status.

THE PATTERN

The life of God becomes recognizable through love expressed toward others.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18 · KJVLove of neighbor gives this life a visible form in the way one receives another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:35 · KJVLove between people becomes the recognizable sign of belonging to Jesus.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:7 · KJVLove for one another is joined directly to life from God and knowing God.

THE THREAD

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24 · KJV

John uses the same Greek verb ⁨μεταβαίνω⁩ (metabaínō, “to cross over”) for passing from death into life. Here the crossing is linked with hearing and trust; 1 John shows its visible sign in love for another.

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