God’s Image Study • Commandment 6: You Shall Not Murder
“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer”
— 1 John 3:15, LSB, excerpt
Our examination of Numbers and Deuteronomy showed hatred named among the circumstances surrounding a killing. John now makes a direct statement about the person who hates his brother.
We will follow his wording and the surrounding passage carefully.
Begin with Cain
Verse 11 recalls the message to love one another. Verse 12 immediately places Cain beside that instruction: he belonged to the evil one and killed his brother.
John asks why Cain killed him and supplies the answer: Cain’s deeds were evil, while his brother’s were righteous.
The Greek verb describing the killing is ἔσφαξεν — esphaxen, from σφάζω — sphazō, Strong’s G4969, meaning to slay or slaughter. John names both the act and the contrast between the brothers’ deeds. Read 1 John 3:11–12 and the Greek text of verse 12.
Verse 13 then tells the brothers not to be surprised when the world hates them. Cain’s account leads directly into the discussion of hatred directed toward the recipients.
“Hates”—and “Is”
In verse 15, μισῶν — misōn comes from μισέω — miseō, Strong’s G3404, meaning to hate. The expression identifies the person hating his brother.
ἀνθρωποκτόνος — anthrōpoktonos, Strong’s G443, is the word translated murderer.
The connecting verb is ἐστίν — estin: is.
John does not merely say that hatred might eventually lead to murder. He identifies the person who hates his brother as a murderer. This statement does not add a condition that the brother must first have been physically killed. Read 1 John 3:15 with its Greek text.
What Is Abiding Within?
The remainder of verse 15 concerns eternal life abiding within the person. μένουσαν — menousan comes from μένω — menō, Strong’s G3306, meaning to remain or abide.
This follows verse 14, where John connects love for the brothers with having passed from death into life. The absence of love is described in relation to remaining in death. Read 1 John 3:14–15.
The passage holds together the person’s treatment of a brother and the question of life within.
Love Expressed Through Action
Verse 16 turns to Christ laying down his life and the responsibility to lay down our lives for the brothers.
John then presents a concrete circumstance: someone possesses material resources, sees a brother’s need, and withholds compassion. Verse 18 directs love into action and truth. Read 1 John 3:16–18.
The progression remains before us: Cain’s killing, hatred, death and life, Christ’s self-giving, and care for a brother.
Threads to Follow
The world’s hatred: Follow Jesus’ explanation in John 15.
Persecution and killing: Examine the sequence in John 16.
Life and conduct: Retain John’s connection between what abides within and how a brother is treated.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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