Comparing 1 John 3:16



We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.
The Message (MSG)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.