KJV: Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
YLT: not as Cain -- of the evil one he was, and he did slay his brother, and wherefore did he slay him? because his works were evil, and those of his brother righteous.
Darby: not as Cain was of the wicked one, and slew his brother; and on account of what slew he him? because his works were wicked, and those of his brother righteous.
ASV: not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
| Κάϊν | Cain |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Κάϊν Sense: the first born of Adam, and slew his brother, Abel. |
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| ἐκ | [who] of |
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Parse: Preposition Root: ἐκ Sense: out of, from, by, away from. |
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| πονηροῦ | evil [one] |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: πονηρός Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships. |
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| ἔσφαξεν | slew |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: σφάζω Sense: to slay, slaughter, butcher. |
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| ἀδελφὸν | brother |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ἀδελφός Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother. |
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| αὐτοῦ | of him |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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| χάριν | because of |
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Parse: Preposition Root: χάριν Sense: in favour of, for the pleasure of. |
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| ἔσφαξεν | he slayed |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: σφάζω Sense: to slay, slaughter, butcher. |
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| ὅτι | Because |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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| ἔργα | works |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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| πονηρὰ | evil |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: πονηρός Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships. |
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| τὰ | those |
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Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| δὲ | however |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc. |
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| τοῦ | of the |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| ἀδελφοῦ | brother |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ἀδελφός Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother. |
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| δίκαια | righteous |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: δίκαιος Sense: righteous, observing divine laws. |
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Greek Commentary for 1 John 3:12
Ablative case and the same for neuter and masculine singular, but 1 John 3:10 makes it clear that the reference is to the devil. [source]
First aorist active indicative of σπαζω sphazō old verb, to slay, to butcher, to cut the throat (Latin jugulare) like an ox in the shambles, in N.T. only here and Rev (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12, etc.).Wherefore? (χαριν τινοσ charin tinos̱). “For the sake of what?” Post-positive preposition (Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:14) except here. The interpretation of the act of Cain (Genesis 4:8.) is an addition to the narrative, but in accord with Hebrews 11:4. Jealousy led to murder. [source]
“For the sake of what?” Post-positive preposition (Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:14) except here. The interpretation of the act of Cain (Genesis 4:8.) is an addition to the narrative, but in accord with Hebrews 11:4. Jealousy led to murder. [source]
Who is not in the Greek. The construction is irregular. Lit., as Rev., not as Cain was of the evil one. [source]
The verb occurs only in John, and only here outside of Revelation. Originally, to slay by cutting the throat; so in Homer, of cattle:“the suitor train who slay ( σφάζουσι )His flocks and slow-paced beeves with crooked horns.”“Odyssey,” i., 92. To slaughter victims for sacrifice:“Backward they turned the necks of the fat beeves,And cut their throats ( ἕσφαζαν ), and flayed the carcasses.”“Iliad,” i., 459. Thence, generally, to slay or kill. [source]
Lit., on account of what. Χάριν forthe sake of, on account of, is elsewhere placed after the genitive. See Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:14; 1 Timothy 5:14; Galatians 3:19. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 3:12
Or, the evil one. This rendering is according to John's usage. See 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18, 1 John 5:19; and compare John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11. From ( ἐκ ), literally, out of, means out of the hands of. [source]
First aorist passive of προστιτημι prostithēmi old verb to add to. It is only in apparent contradiction to Galatians 3:15., because in Paul‘s mind the law is no part of the covenant, but a thing apart “in no way modifying its provisions” (Burton). Χαριν Charin is the adverbial accusative of χαρις charis which was used as a preposition with the genitive as early as Homer, in favour of, for the sake of. Except in 1 John 3:12 it is post-positive in the N.T. as in ancient Greek. It may be causal (Luke 7:47; 1 John 3:12) or telic (Titus 1:5, Titus 1:11; Judges 1:16). It is probably also telic here, not in order to create transgressions, but rather “to make transgressions palpable” (Ellicott), “thereby pronouncing them to be from that time forward transgressions of the law” (Rendall). Παραβασις Parabasis from παραβαινω parabainō is in this sense a late word (Plutarch on), originally a slight deviation, then a wilful disregarding of known regulations or prohibitions as in Romans 2:23. Till the seed should come (αχρις αν ελτηι το σπερμα achris an elthēi to sperma). Future time with αχρις αν achris an and aorist subjunctive (usual construction). Christ he means by το σπερμα to sperma as in Galatians 3:16. The promise hath been made Probably impersonal perfect passive rather than middle of επαγγελλομαι epaggellomai as in 2 Maccabees 4:27. Ordained through angels (διαταγεις δι αγγελων diatageis di' aggelōn). Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). By the hand of a mediator Εν χειρι En cheiri is a manifest Aramaism or Hebraism and only here in the N.T. It is common in the lxx. Μεσιτης Mesitēs from μεσος mesos is middle or midst, is a late word (Polybius, Diodorus, Philo, Josephus) and common in the papyri in legal transactions for arbiter, surety, etc. Here of Moses, but also of Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). [source]
Possibly, from the evil one. Τὸ πονηρόν evilis found Romans 12:9; Matthew 5:39; but general N.T. usage favors the masculine, personal sense. See Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18. In lxx, τὸ πονηρόν evil is very common: ὁ πονηρὸς a few times, but always of men. See Deuteronomy 24:7; Esther 7:6; Job 21:30. In Tobit 3:8,17, τὸ πονηρόν δαιμόνιον thewicked demon. The masculine is favored by the Jewish formularies, of which traces appear in the Lord's prayer; by the unanimous tradition of Greek interpreters; by the interpretations of Tertullian and Cyprian, and by the evidence of the Syriac and Sahidic Versions. [source]
Abel is called righteous by Christ himself. Matthew 23:35. Comp. 1 John 3:12. See on Romans 1:17. [source]
The best MSS. read “blood and flesh.” The verb is perfect active indicative of κοινωνεω koinōneō old verb with the regular genitive, elsewhere in the N.T. with the locative (Romans 12:13) or with εν en or εις eis “The children have become partners Second aorist active indicative of μετεχω metechō to have with, a practical synonym for κοινωνεω koinōneō and with the genitive also That he might bring to naught Purpose of the incarnation clearly stated with ινα hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of καταργεω katargeō old word to render idle or ineffective (from κατα αργος kata class="normal greek">κρατος argos), causative verb (25 times in Paul), once in Luke (Luke 13:7), once in Hebrews (here). “By means of death” (his own death) Christ broke the power (τουτ εστιν kratos) of the devil over death (paradoxical as it seems), certainly in men‘s fear of death and in some unexplained way Satan had sway over the realm of death (Zechariah 3:5.). Note the explanatory tout' estin (that is) with the accusative after it as before it. In Revelation 12:7 Satan is identified with the serpent in Eden, though it is not done in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:12; John 8:44; John 14:30; John 16:11; 1 John 3:12. Death is the devil‘s realm, for he is the author of sin. “Death as death is no part of the divine order” (Westcott). [source]
Second aorist active indicative of μετεχω metechō to have with, a practical synonym for κοινωνεω koinōneō and with the genitive also That he might bring to naught Purpose of the incarnation clearly stated with ινα hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of καταργεω katargeō old word to render idle or ineffective (from κατα αργος kata class="normal greek">κρατος argos), causative verb (25 times in Paul), once in Luke (Luke 13:7), once in Hebrews (here). “By means of death” (his own death) Christ broke the power (τουτ εστιν kratos) of the devil over death (paradoxical as it seems), certainly in men‘s fear of death and in some unexplained way Satan had sway over the realm of death (Zechariah 3:5.). Note the explanatory tout' estin (that is) with the accusative after it as before it. In Revelation 12:7 Satan is identified with the serpent in Eden, though it is not done in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:12; John 8:44; John 14:30; John 16:11; 1 John 3:12. Death is the devil‘s realm, for he is the author of sin. “Death as death is no part of the divine order” (Westcott). [source]
See on wickedness, Mark 7:22; see on evils, Luke 3:19; see on evil spirits, Luke 7:21. The prince of darkness is styled by John ὁ διάβολος thefalse accuser (John 8:44; John 13:2; 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:10. See on Matthew 4:1): ὁ Σατανᾶς Satanthe adversary (John 13:27; compare ὁ κατήγωρ theaccuser, properly, in court, Revelation 12:10): ὁ πονηρός theevil one (John 17:15; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18, 1 John 5:19): ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου theruler of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11). Note the abrupt introduction of the word here, as indicating something familiar. [source]
See 1 John 1:1 for this phrase and 1 John 2:7 for the idea. They had the message of love for the brotherhood from the beginning of the gospel and it goes back to the time of Cain and Abel (1 John 3:12).That we should love one another (ινα αγαπωμεν αλληλους hina agapōmen allēlous). Sub-final clause (content of the αγγελια aggelia) with ινα hina and present active subjunctive. John repeats the message of 1 John 2:7. [source]
The verb indicates violence, butchery. See on 1 John 3:12. It is also the sacrificial word. Exodus 12:6. [source]
Perfect passive predicate participle of σπαζω sphazō old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:9; Revelation 13:3; Revelation 18:24; 1 John 3:12. ως Hōs (as if) is used because the Lamb is now alive, but (in appearance) with the marks of the sacrifice. The Christ as the Lamb is both sacrifice and Priest (Hebrews 9:12.; Hebrews 10:11). [source]
See Revelation 4:6 for this idiom. It is not quite clear where the Lamb was standing in the vision, whether close to the throne or in the space between the throne and the elders (perhaps implied by “came” in Revelation 5:7, but nearness to the throne is implied by Revelation 14:1; Acts 7:56; Hebrews 10:11).A Lamb (αρνιον arnion). Elsewhere in the N.T. ο αμνος ho amnos is used of Christ (John 1:29, John 1:36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19 like Isaiah 53:7), but in the Apocalypse το αρνιον to arnion occurs for the Crucified Christ 29 times in twelve chapters.Standing Second perfect active (intransitive of ιστημι histēmi) neuter accusative singular (grammatical gender like αρνιον arnion), though some MSS. read εστηκως hestēkōs (natural gender masculine and nominative in spite of ειδον eidon construction according to sense).As though it had been slain (ως εσπαγμενον hōs esphagmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of σπαζω sphazō old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:9; Revelation 13:3; Revelation 18:24; 1 John 3:12. ως Hōs (as if) is used because the Lamb is now alive, but (in appearance) with the marks of the sacrifice. The Christ as the Lamb is both sacrifice and Priest (Hebrews 9:12.; Hebrews 10:11).Having Construction according to sense again with masculine nominative participle instead of εχοντα echonta (masculine accusative singular) or εχον echon (neuter accusative singular). Seven horns Fulness of power (the All-powerful one) is symbolized by seven.Seven eyes (οπταλμους επτα ophthalmous hepta). Like Zechariah 3:9; Zechariah 4:10 and denotes here, as there, omniscience. Here they are identified with the seven Spirits of Christ, while in Revelation 1:4 the seven Spirits are clearly the Holy Spirit of God (Revelation 3:1), and blaze like torches (Revelation 4:5), like the eyes of Christ (Revelation 1:14). The Holy Spirit is both Spirit of God and of Christ (Romans 8:9).Sent forth Perfect passive predicate participle of αποστελλω apostellō masculine plural (agreeing with οι hoi and οπταλμους ophthalmous in gender), but some MSS. have απεσταλμενα apestalmena agreeing with the nearer πνευματα pneumata f0). [source]
Second perfect active (intransitive of ιστημι histēmi) neuter accusative singular (grammatical gender like αρνιον arnion), though some MSS. read εστηκως hestēkōs (natural gender masculine and nominative in spite of ειδον eidon construction according to sense).As though it had been slain (ως εσπαγμενον hōs esphagmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of σπαζω sphazō old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:9; Revelation 13:3; Revelation 18:24; 1 John 3:12. ως Hōs (as if) is used because the Lamb is now alive, but (in appearance) with the marks of the sacrifice. The Christ as the Lamb is both sacrifice and Priest (Hebrews 9:12.; Hebrews 10:11).Having Construction according to sense again with masculine nominative participle instead of εχοντα echonta (masculine accusative singular) or εχον echon (neuter accusative singular). Seven horns Fulness of power (the All-powerful one) is symbolized by seven.Seven eyes (οπταλμους επτα ophthalmous hepta). Like Zechariah 3:9; Zechariah 4:10 and denotes here, as there, omniscience. Here they are identified with the seven Spirits of Christ, while in Revelation 1:4 the seven Spirits are clearly the Holy Spirit of God (Revelation 3:1), and blaze like torches (Revelation 4:5), like the eyes of Christ (Revelation 1:14). The Holy Spirit is both Spirit of God and of Christ (Romans 8:9).Sent forth Perfect passive predicate participle of αποστελλω apostellō masculine plural (agreeing with οι hoi and οπταλμους ophthalmous in gender), but some MSS. have απεσταλμενα apestalmena agreeing with the nearer πνευματα pneumata f0). [source]