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Trinity/After Pentecost · The Second Sunday after Trinity

1 John 3:13-18

Love One Another

June 14, 2026

Saint Martin and the Beggar, El Greco
Saint Martin and the Beggar, El Greco, c. 1597–1599National Gallery of Art, Washington
Martin on a white horse, in sixteenth-century Toledo armour, cutting his cloak in half for a naked beggar. El Greco painted it for a chapel he also designed.Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in truth and action: 1 John asks for proof, and this is the standard example of it.El GrecoA Cretan icon painter who trained in Venice and settled in Toledo, where he stretched his figures into something no other century has imitated successfully.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonGiven to the United States by Andrew Mellon in 1937 on condition it carry no founder's name, so that others would give to it too.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 14:15-24Lk 14:15-24
Epistle1 John 3:13-181 Jn 3:13-18Alt. EpistleEph. 2:13-22Eph 2:13-22
Old TestamentProv. 9:1-10Prv 9:1-10
PsalterPs. 34:12-22Ps 34:12-22

Overview & Insights

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (1 John 3:16)

Verses 11–18 are unified by the theme of loving one another. Love among the members of the community was first raised in 1 John 2:10 (as love for one’s “brother” or sister) and was the link into this section of the letter in 3:10b. The background to this emphasis on love is the schism which has divided the community (1 John 2:19) and has set former community members against one another. The schismatics have shown a flagrant, Cain-like disregard for their fellow believers. The Elder is greatly concerned that there be sacrificial, practical love among the remaining Johannine Christians.

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Take it further: 1 John 3:13-18

Commentary

Commentary on 1 John 3:16-24Commentary on 1 Jn 3:16-24 Working Preacher

Lectionary commentary on laying down one's life for the brothers, continuing this passage.

Study Guide for 1 John 3Study Guide for 1 Jn 3 Blue Letter Bible (Guzik)

A distinct study guide on brotherly love as the mark of passing from death to life.

Background & Word Study

1 John 3:16 Commentaries1 Jn 3:16 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentators on perceiving love by Christ laying down his life.

The Church Fathers

1 John 3:16 Patristic Commentary1 Jn 3:16 Patristic Commentary Catena Bible

Fathers on the example of self-giving love within this exact verse range.

Homily 5 on the First Epistle of JohnHomily 5 on the First Epistle of Jn NewAdvent (Augustine)

Augustine's homily covers 1 John 3:9-18, matching this exact pericope.

Sermons & Reflections

The Love That Lays Down Its Life (tag archive) Steadfast Lutherans

Includes a sermon preached specifically on 1 John 3:16-24.

1 John 3:16-24 sermon1 Jn 3:16-24 sermon Enduring Word

A sermon on God's love in action, covering verses adjoining this passage.

Podcast

Love (tag archive) Issues, Etc.

Lutheran radio episodes touching on Christian love as fruit of the Spirit.

Questions preachers ask

How does John define love?

Love is not word or talk but deed and truth; the one who has the world's goods and shuts his heart against a brother in need has no love of God abiding in him.

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