1 John 3:18

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, &c.] Which though it holds good of love to God, and to Jesus Christ, yet here is to be understood of love to the brethren, as the context shows; and so the Syriac version reads, “let us not love one another in word”, &c. that is, without the heart, or with a double heart; speaking one thing with the lip, and designing another thing in the heart; speaking peaceably with the mouth, and with the heart laying wait; or we should not love in this manner “only”; and so the Arabic version of Deuteronomy Dieu adds. It is very lawful, and right to express our love to one another, and to all men in words, to give good words, and use…”

“When the venerable John could no longer walk to the meetings of the Church but was borne thither by his disciples, he always uttered the same address to the Church; he reminded them of that one commandment which he had received from Christ Himself, as comprising all the rest, and forming the distinction of the new covenant, "My little children, love one another." When the brethren present, wearied of hearing the same thing so often, asked why he always repeated the same thing, he replied, "Because it is the commandment of the Lord, and if this one thing be attained, it is enough" [JEROME]. in word--Greek, "with word . . . with tongue, but in deed and truth."”

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue - By mere profession; by merely sayinG that we love each other. See 1 Peter 1:22. But in deed and in truth - In such acts as shall show that our professed love is sincere and real. Let us do the deed of love, whether anything is said about it or not. See the notes at Matthew 6:3. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Not in word - Only. But in deed - In action: not in tongue by empty professions, but in truth. 1 John 3:19”

“My: Jo1 2:1 let: Exo 33:21; Mat 25:41-45; Rom 12:9; Co1 13:4-7; Gal 5:13, Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2; Eph 4:1-3, Eph 4:15; Th1 1:3; Jam 2:15, Jam 2:16; Pe1 1:22 1 John 3:19”