1 John 3:17

Webster's Bible (1833)

But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ὅς δʼ ἂν ἔχῃ τὸν βίον τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ θεωρῇ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχοντα, καὶ κλείσῃ τὰ σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, πῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ;

Transliteration

Whoever d'an echē the bion of the kosmou, and theōrē the adelphon of him chreian echonta, and kleisē the splanchna of him from him, how the agapē of Theou menei in him?

Grammar Details

• *d'an*: particle combination - but whoever
• *echē*: present active subjunctive, 3rd singular - might have
• *bion*: accusative, masculine, singular - livelihood/goods
• *kosmou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of world
• *theōrē*: present active subjunctive, 3rd singular - might see
• *adelphon*: accusative, masculine, singular - brother
• *chreian*: accusative, feminine, singular - need
• *echonta*: present active participle, accusative, masculine, singular - having
• *kleisē*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular - might shut
• *splanchna*: accusative, neuter, plural - bowels/affections
• *agapē*: nominative, feminine, singular - love
• *Theou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of God
• *menei*: present active, 3rd singular - abides

Word Meanings

• *echē*: might have/possess/hold
• *bion*: livelihood/goods/means of living
• *kosmou*: world/universe/worldly system
• *theōrē*: might see/behold/observe
• *adelphon*: brother/fellow believer
• *chreian*: need/necessity/lack
• *echonta*: having/possessing
• *kleisē*: might shut/close
• *splanchna*: bowels/affections/compassion/heart
• *agapē*: love/charity
• *menei*: abides/remains/continues

Referenced Verses

• 1 John 4:20 : 20 If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
• Heb 13:16 : 16 But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
• Prov 19:17 : 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; He will reward him.
• Isa 58:7-9 : 7 Isn't it to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of Yahweh shall by your rearward. 9 Then shall you call, and Yahweh will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly; 10 and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity be as the noonday;
• Deut 15:7-9 : 7 If there be with you a poor man, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; 8 but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need [in that] which he wants. 9 Beware that there not be a base thought in your heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you. 10 You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to. 11 For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command you, saying, You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.
• 2 Cor 9:5-9 : 5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness. 6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."
• 1 Tim 6:17-18 : 17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
• Jas 2:15 : 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
• Prov 12:10 : 10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
• Prov 28:9 : 9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
• Luke 3:11 : 11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."
• 2 Cor 8:9 : 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
• 2 Cor 8:14-15 : 14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."
• 1 John 5:1 : 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Whoever loves the father also loves the child who is born of him.