1 John 3:11

For ¹  this is the gospel ²  message ³  that you have heard from the beginning: that we should love one another, ⁴ 

Joh 13:34,35; Joh 15:12; Ga 6:2; Eph 5:2; 1Th 4:9; 1Ti 1:5; 1Pe 1:22; 1Pe 3:8; 1Pe 4:8; 1Jo 1:5; 1Jo 2:7,8; 1Jo 4:7,21; 2Jo 1:5

¹ tn It could be argued (1) that the ὅτι (Joti) at the beginning of 3:11 is grammatically subordinate to the preceding statement at the end of 3:10. As BDF §456.1 points out, however, “Subordination with ὅτι and διότι is often very loose…and must be translated ‘for.’” Thus (2) ὅτι assumes an inferential sense, standing at the beginning of a new sentence and drawing an inference based upon all that has preceded. This is confirmed by the structural parallel between the present verse and 1:5.

² tn The word “gospel” is not in the Greek text but is supplied to clarify the meaning. See the notes on the words “gospel” and “message” in 1 John 1:5.

³ tn See the note on the word “message” in 1 John 1:5, where this same phrase occurs.

⁴ sn For this is the gospel message…that we should love one another. The structure of this verse is parallel to 1:5, indicating the beginning of a second major section of the letter.