1 John 3:17
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?”
A short, plain-language explanation of 1 John 3:17 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
King James Version · Public Domain“But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“and whoever may have the goods of the world, and may view his brother having need, and may shut up his bowels from him--how doth the love of God remain in him?”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo 1 John 3:17 — 14 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 15:7If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
- Proverbs 12:10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
- Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Proverbs 28:9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
- Isaiah 58:7Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Luke 3:11John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- 2 Corinthians 8:14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.
- 2 Corinthians 9:5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
- 1 Timothy 6:17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
- Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- James 2:15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
- 1 John 4:20If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
- 1 John 5:1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).