1 John 3

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hope, pure, purifieth. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Naming Whosoever keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” The line’s distinctive content terms include know, manifested, sins. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” Naming Whosoever keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” Naming Little keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was…” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of…” Naming Whosoever keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” Naming Marvel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth…” The line’s distinctive content terms include death, abideth, brethren. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” Naming Whosoever keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the…” Naming Hereby keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” Naming Beloved keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include commandments, keep, pleasing. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the…” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.