⁸ I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love.^(A)

⁶ This I say by way of concession, not of command.^(A)

¹⁷ How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?^(A)

¹⁸ Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.^{(B) 19} And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him^(C)

Faith without Works Is Dead

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it?^{(A) 15} If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food^{(B) 16} and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?

²⁴ And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,

⁷ Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.^(A)

⁶ in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love,

²² Now that you have purified your souls^[a] by your obedience to the truth^[b] so that you have genuine mutual affection, love one another deeply from the heart.^[c](A)

²⁴ Grace be with all who have an undying love for^[a] our Lord Jesus Christ.^[b]

¹⁵ but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,^(A)