Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 John 3:11

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 John 3:11 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 John 3:11. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, God wants us to remember that we should always love each other. This is something He has told us from the start.

1 John 3:11: For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. [message: or, commandment]

Contradiction with Matthew 5:43-44

This verse suggests loving enemies and blessing those who curse you, which might be misconstrued as a form of favoritism towards outsiders rather than a universal love for all, potentially conflicting with the inclusive message of loving one another in 1 John 3:11.

Matthew 5:43-44: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Contradiction with Luke 14:26

This verse appears to advocate hating one's own family in favor of following Jesus, which contradicts the command to love one another as stated in 1 John 3:11.

Luke 14:26: If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Contradiction with Matthew 10:34-36

Here, Jesus speaks of bringing division rather than peace, implying a conflict with the directive to love one another as described in 1 John 3:11.

Matthew 10:34-36: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Contradiction with Exodus 32:27-28

This Old Testament account of the Levites killing their own brothers at Moses' command can be seen as a contradiction to the New Testament's call to love one another in 1 John 3:11.

Exodus 32:27-28: And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, [and] go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 3:8

This verse notes that there is "a time to love and a time to hate," which can be seen as contradictory to the constant command to love one another in 1 John 3:11.

Ecclesiastes 3:8: A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Paradox #1

The contradiction or conflict might arise when considering the command to love one another in the context of other biblical passages where actions contrary to love, like violence or punishment, are depicted or commanded. This can lead to questions about how to reconcile the command to love with instances where actions in the Bible may not seem loving.

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