The evidence of genuine love is not verbal professions but vital performances, deeds rather than words (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1; James 2:15-16). [source][source][source]
"The major concern of this passage is to encourage obedient and active love from all those who claimed allegiance to the Johannine church." [1][source]
Context Summary
1 John 3:13-24 - Loving In Deed And In Truth
Love to the brethren is a sign that we have been born into the family. We may not like them all, yet we can love them. If we love, we live; and if we live in the deepest sense, we shall love; that is, we shall put others first, and our care for them will be tinged with the crimson of sacrifice. Love is not measured by the expressions of the lip or the emotion of the heart, but by the extent to which we will do or suffer.
The believer dares not affirm too much about himself, he is so unworthy and fickle; but God understands us and imputes to us what we would be. Mark in 1 John 3:22 the double condition of prevailing prayer. It is also clear from 1 John 3:23 that men can believe, if they will. God is prepared to impart to those who are wishful all that He commands. Augustine prayed thus: "Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt." [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 John 3
1He declares the singular love of God toward us, in making us his sons; 3who therefore ought obediently to keep his commandments; 11as also to love one another as brothers
Greek Commentary for 1 John 3:18
In word, neither with the tongue [λογωι μηδε τηι γλωσσηι] Either instrumental or locative makes sense. What John means is “not merely by word or by the tongue.” He does not condemn kind words which are comforting and cheering, but warm words should be accompanied by warm deeds to make real “in deed and in truth” Here is a case where actions do speak louder than mere words. [source]
James 5:19From the truth [απο της αλητειας] For truth see James 1:18; James 3:14; John 8:32; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 3:18. It was easy then, and is now, to be led astray from Christ, who is the Truth.And one convert him (και επιστρεπσηι τις αυτον kai epistrepsēi tis auton). Continuation of the third-class condition with the first aorist active subjunctive of επιστρεπω epistrephō old verb, to turn (transitive here as in Luke 1:16., but intransitive often as Acts 9:35). [source]
1 John 2:1My little children [τεκνία μου] Τεκνίον , little child, diminutive of τέκνον childoccurs in John 8:33; 1 John 2:12,1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:7,1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:21. This particular phrase is found only here (best texts omit my in 1 John 3:18). Used as a term of affection, or possibly with reference to the writer's advanced age. Compare Christ's word, παιδία children(John 21:5) which John also uses (1 John 2:13,1 John 2:18). In the familiar story of John and the young convert who became a robber, it is related that the aged apostle repaired to the robber's haunt, and that the young man, on seeing him, took to flight. John, forgetful of his age, ran after him, crying: “O my son why dost thou fly from me thy father? Thou, an armed man, - I, an old, defenseless one! Have pity upon me! My son, do not fear! There is still hope of life for thee. I wish myself to take the burden of all before Christ. If it is necessary, I will die for thee, as Christ died for us. Stop! Believe! It is Christ who sends me.” [source]
1 John 2:1My little children [τεκνια μου] Tender tone with this diminutive of τεκνον teknon (child), again in 1 John 2:12; 1 John 3:18, but παιδια paidia in 1 John 2:14. John is now an old man and regards his readers as his little children. That attitude is illustrated in the story of his visit to the robber to win him to Christ. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 John 3:18 mean?
Little childrennotwe should lovein wordnorintonguebutinactionandin truth
Greek Commentary for 1 John 3:18
Either instrumental or locative makes sense. What John means is “not merely by word or by the tongue.” He does not condemn kind words which are comforting and cheering, but warm words should be accompanied by warm deeds to make real “in deed and in truth” Here is a case where actions do speak louder than mere words. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 3:18
Only here in Paul, but often in John. See John 13:33; 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:7, 1 John 3:18, etc. See on Galatians 3:26. [source]
For truth see James 1:18; James 3:14; John 8:32; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 3:18. It was easy then, and is now, to be led astray from Christ, who is the Truth.And one convert him (και επιστρεπσηι τις αυτον kai epistrepsēi tis auton). Continuation of the third-class condition with the first aorist active subjunctive of επιστρεπω epistrephō old verb, to turn (transitive here as in Luke 1:16., but intransitive often as Acts 9:35). [source]
Τεκνίον , little child, diminutive of τέκνον childoccurs in John 8:33; 1 John 2:12, 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:7, 1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:21. This particular phrase is found only here (best texts omit my in 1 John 3:18). Used as a term of affection, or possibly with reference to the writer's advanced age. Compare Christ's word, παιδία children(John 21:5) which John also uses (1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:18). In the familiar story of John and the young convert who became a robber, it is related that the aged apostle repaired to the robber's haunt, and that the young man, on seeing him, took to flight. John, forgetful of his age, ran after him, crying: “O my son why dost thou fly from me thy father? Thou, an armed man, - I, an old, defenseless one! Have pity upon me! My son, do not fear! There is still hope of life for thee. I wish myself to take the burden of all before Christ. If it is necessary, I will die for thee, as Christ died for us. Stop! Believe! It is Christ who sends me.” [source]
Tender tone with this diminutive of τεκνον teknon (child), again in 1 John 2:12; 1 John 3:18, but παιδια paidia in 1 John 2:14. John is now an old man and regards his readers as his little children. That attitude is illustrated in the story of his visit to the robber to win him to Christ. [source]