1 John 3:15 (KJV)

What does 1 John 3:15 mean?

1 John 3:15 says that anyone who hates another believer is considered a murderer, and no murderer has eternal life living in them. The verse draws a strong connection between harboring hatred and the seriousness of murder, warning that such a heart is not compatible with eternal life.

The apostle John is writing to early Christian communities, urging them to love one another and avoid hatred. In this context, John uses strong language to show that hatred is not a minor issue but is deeply serious in God’s eyes, as it reflects a heart far from the life God gives.

The Greek behind 1 John 3:15

• μισῶν (misōn, "hateth"): This Greek word means more than just a passing dislike; it points to a deep, ongoing hostility. John is highlighting that persistent hatred is what he is warning against.
• ἀνθρωποκτόνος (anthrōpoktonos, "murderer"): This word literally means "man-killer." John uses it to show that hatred, in God’s eyes, is as serious as physically taking a life.
• μένουσαν (menousan, "abiding"): The Greek word here means to remain or dwell. John is saying that eternal life does not simply visit someone who hates; it does not make its home in them.

Why 1 John 3:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that, in John’s teaching, inner attitudes like hatred are as spiritually serious as outward actions like murder.
• It emphasizes that eternal life is not just a future hope but a present reality that shapes how believers treat one another.
• The verse connects to the larger message of 1 John, which urges believers to live out genuine love as proof of their relationship with God.