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1 John 3:12

“not as Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

1 John 3:12 · direct translation from the Greek
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With the Greek beneath

12

Allusion · Genesis 4:8

Go to Genesis 4:8

Both texts say that Cain killed his brother.

They share words that are rare in the original, without a quotation.

  • ΚάϊνKainG2535קַיִןkayinH7014“Cain”
  • ἔσφαξενesphaxenG4969יַּהַרְגֵyahargeH2026“slaughter, murder”
  • ἀδελφὸνadelphonG80אָחִיajiH251“brother”

1 John 3:12, word by word

CainΚάϊνKain

Cain

Cain, son of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel.

Where else “Kain” appears
wasἦνēn

be

To be: says who or what something is.

Where else “ēn” appears
the evil oneπονηροῦponērou

the evil one

A name given to the devil, God's enemy.

Where else “ponērou” appears
murderedἔσφαξενesphaxen

slaughter, murder

To kill violently, to slaughter.

Where else “esphaxen” appears
his brotherἀδελφὸνadelphon

brother

A man born of the same parents as another, or of the same family.

Where else “adelphon” appears
whyχάρινcharin

for the sake of

For the sake of; “hou charin,” for which reason.

Where else “charin” appears
his worksἔργαerga

deed

What someone does, their conduct.

Where else “erga” appears
righteousδίκαιαdikaia

righteous

One who lives well, as God wants.

Where else “dikaia” appears

Translation note

It recalls Genesis 4:8.

The context

11For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

12 · This verse (above)

13Do not be amazed, brothers, if the world hates you.

Read all of 1 John 3

To study 1 John 3 in a group

  1. 1. What it says

    What does verse 1 say the Father has given us, and what does it say we will be when he appears (v. 1-2)?

  2. 2. What it means

    John says not to love "in word or with the tongue, but in deed and truth" (v. 18). What does that contrast show?

  3. 3. How I live it

    What concrete act of love could you do today for someone in need (v. 17-18)?

How to use it