1 John 3:16 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Hereby perceive we the love of God,— This text, as it stands in our version, has generally been mentioned as equivalent to Acts 20:28. In which, as he who laid down his life for us, is God as well as man, God is said to have done that, which the man united to him did. The verse may be thus paraphrased: "How contrary is this unmerciful temper to that which God the Son has shewn towards us: we may conceive something of the greatness of his compassionate love, from the most transcendent instance that could be given of it; since he, who is the eternal Word, and was made flesh, and so was truly and properly God incarnate (John 1:14.), has loved us, and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour (Ephesians 5:2.). And we ought to be so deeply affected with, and influenced by this unparalleled loveof Christ, as to stand ready after his example, and in imitation of his love, to expose or lay down our own lives, whenever he calls us to it, (as St. Paul did his, Philippians 2:17.) for encouraging the faith and hope of the brethren; and for the preservation and safety of those who are eminently serviceable to his church, as Aquila and Priscilla laid down their own necks for that great apostle's life. Romans 16:4." In what sense the primitive Christians understood this injunction of the apostle, may appear from what the world is said to have reported concerning them; "Behold, how they love one another, and how ready they are to die for one another!" We have here a sixth reason why Christians should love one another,—even the astonishing and unparalleled love of Christ in dying for them.