1 John 3:12 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.

1 John 3:12 nkjv

not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.

1 John 3:12 niv

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.

1 John 3:12 esv

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

1 John 3:12 nlt

We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 12 Meaning

This verse serves as a stark warning and negative example, contrasting genuine children of God with those who do not possess divine love. It highlights Cain, the first murderer, as an archetype of one belonging to "the evil one." Cain's act of fratricide stemmed not from external provocation but from his internal spiritual alignment, as evidenced by his own wicked deeds opposing his brother Abel's righteous life and acceptable deeds. This shows that hatred, manifested in such destructive acts, reveals a spiritual origin contrary to God, directly opposed to the love commanded among God's children.

1 John 3 12 Context

1 John chapter 3, particularly from verse 10 onward, provides the immediate context for verse 12. John establishes a clear binary distinction: children of God versus children of the devil. The defining characteristic that reveals one's spiritual lineage is love for one another. A lack of love, or the presence of hatred, demonstrates one is not of God. Cain is presented as the premier historical example of this principle, embodying the traits of those "of the evil one." The epistle of 1 John frequently addresses false teachers and their followers who claimed to know God but whose lives did not reflect God's moral nature, especially in terms of love and righteousness. Cain's story, therefore, serves as a timeless paradigm of the destructive fruit of a godless heart, directly contrasting with the new command to love that Jesus taught (Jn 13:34-35).

1 John 3 12 Word analysis

• not as Cain (καθὼς Κάϊν - kathōs Kāïn): "Not as" establishes a negative example or antithesis. Cain is not merely a historical figure but a typology of those characterized by hatred and evil, serving as a warning for believers against succumbing to similar spiritual inclinations. His actions define an opposing spirit.

• who was of the evil one (ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἦν - ek tou ponērou ēn): This phrase denotes spiritual origin or source. "The evil one" (τοῦ πονηροῦ - tou ponērou) refers to the Devil, Satan (1 Jn 2:13, 14; 3:8, 10; 5:18, 19). It indicates that Cain's very being or disposition was sourced from, and characterized by, the devil's nature, contrasting sharply with those born "of God." His deeds were an expression of his spiritual father.

• and murdered his brother (καὶ ἔσφαξεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ - kai esphaxen ton adelphon autou): "Murdered" (ἔσφαξεν - esphaxen) can carry a connotation of slaughter, suggesting a violent, perhaps even ritualistic, killing. This act is the ultimate violation of brotherly love, an abhorrent manifestation of the evil within Cain. It is not just physical death but an attack fueled by malevolence against one in God's favor.

• And why did he murder him? (Καὶ χάριν τίνος ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτόν; - Kai charin tinos apekteinen auton?): This rhetorical question highlights the verse's central inquiry into the motivation behind the heinous act. It directs the reader's attention from the mere act to its underlying spiritual cause, emphasizing that evil actions always stem from an internal corrupt root, rather than merely external provocation.

• Because his own deeds were evil (ὅτι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρὰ ἦν - hoti ta erga autou ponēra ēn): This provides the direct answer. "Deeds" (ἔργα - erga) refers to one's actions and conduct, which reveal one's true character and spiritual alignment. Cain's "evil" (πονηρὰ - ponēra) deeds are understood not just as individual wrong acts, but a fundamental orientation towards wickedness. This signifies his moral and spiritual opposition to God.

• and his brother's righteous (τὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ δίκαια - ta de tou adelphou autou dikaia): This states the stark contrast. Abel's deeds were "righteous" (δίκαια - dikaia), implying they were just, right, and in conformity with God's will, particularly in his worship (Heb 11:4). This righteousness drew God's favor and acceptance, which incited Cain's jealousy and hatred, revealing his own inherent wickedness.

• was of the evil one and murdered his brother: This phrase establishes a direct causative link: belonging to the Devil manifests in destructive acts against others, especially against the righteous. This isn't just about imitation; it's about inherent spiritual connection leading to specific outcomes. It underscores the profound theological truth that spiritual lineage is made visible through action, contrasting the love shown by children of God (1 Jn 3:10) with the murderous hatred characteristic of children of the devil.

• his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous: This core phrase reveals the motivation behind the murder. It wasn't about anything Abel did wrong, but about Cain's intolerance for Abel's righteousness. The conflict arose from the stark spiritual opposition between two lives: one rooted in evil, the other in right standing with God. The contrast between their deeds highlighted God's approval of one and rejection of the other, fueling envy and murderous intent in Cain. This mirrors the spiritual conflict between darkness and light (Jn 3:19-20).

1 John 3 12 Bonus section

The murder of Abel by Cain, driven by jealousy over God's acceptance of Abel's offering and rejection of his own (Gen 4), is the foundational fratricide in Scripture. It sets a pattern where righteousness elicits hostility from the wicked, making Abel the first martyr and Cain the first human to fully manifest the destructive fruit of sin and Satan's influence in a brother-against-brother conflict. This narrative demonstrates the inherent opposition between those aligned with God and those who are not, foreshadowing the persecution of Christ and His followers throughout history. The "deeds" are key: they are the tangible manifestation of one's internal spiritual state, demonstrating whether one belongs to God through love or to the evil one through hatred and unrighteousness.

1 John 3 12 Commentary

1 John 3:12 provides the most powerful biblical example of what it means to not love one's brother: becoming like Cain. John's message is a clear ethical imperative rooted in spiritual origin. Cain serves as a perennial type for those who reject God's ways and resort to violence or hatred against those who are genuinely righteous. His act was not circumstantial but proceeded from a heart intrinsically linked to "the evil one." The text doesn't dwell on Cain's personal failing but uses him as a theological example, emphasizing that such hatred is characteristic of spiritual darkness, opposed to the light and love found in Christ. Cain's rejection by God was reflected in his evil deeds, just as Abel's righteousness was affirmed by God and led to his acceptance. The principle is enduring: genuine love and righteous deeds flow from being born of God; hatred and wicked deeds expose one's spiritual alignment with the Devil. The Christian walk is fundamentally defined by living in the loving way of Christ, never in the murderous hatred of Cain.