"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
— 1 John 3:18 (NIV)
1 John 3:18 is the verse people mean when they search the reference for "love with actions and in truth." This page is the passage and a plain reading. Earlier in the same chapter on this site is 1 John 3:16. Related love-from-God pages are 1 John 4:7 and 1 John 4:19. The new command in John is John 13:34.
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The verse
1 John 3:18 (NIV) reads: "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
The King James says, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." John is not against speaking love; he is against speech that never becomes help.
What the verse is saying
John has just defined love by Christ laying down his life (1 John 3:16) and pressed the point with a brother or sister in need. Verse 18 names the test: love that stays only in words is not enough. Actions and truth mean concrete care that matches what we say. This is the same family of teaching as loving one another as Jesus loved (John 13:34) and love that comes from God (1 John 4:7).
This page stays with the reference. God's love that starts first is 1 John 4:19. How we know what love is remains 1 John 3:16.
How people use 1 John 3:18
People look up the reference for sermons on practical love, service projects, and studies that contrast empty talk with costly care. It pairs with 1 John 3:16 when the topic is sacrificial love, and with John 15:12 when the topic is loving as Jesus loved.
How to Love with Actions and in Truth
1 John 3:18 comes right after the point in 1 John 3:16 about a brother or sister in need. Love in deed and in truth starts there. When you see a need you can meet, meet it: a meal, a ride, help with a bill, or a repair that has been waiting.
Keeping promises is part of the same love. If you said you would come, call, or help, do that thing. The verse says, "let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." A promise kept is an action. A promise left in speech is the love John sets aside.
Showing up and giving time belong here too. Sit with someone who is sick. Stay when a conversation is hard. Offer an hour you could have kept. The King James wording is love "in deed and in truth," which is care a person can receive, not only hear.
Words still matter. They should match the deeds. Tell the truth about your care, then show it in the help you actually give.
Questions people ask
What does 1 John 3:18 say?
It says dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
What does love with actions and in truth mean?
It means love shows up in real help and honesty, not only kind sentences. Words matter; they are not the whole of love.
How does this relate to 1 John 3:16?
Verse 16 defines love by Jesus laying down his life and calls believers to the same pattern. Verse 18 applies that call: love must become deed and truth. Read 1 John 3:16.
Is John against saying "I love you"?
No. He is against speech that never becomes care. Saying the words and doing the work belong together.
Where should I read next?
For how we know what love is, read 1 John 3:16. For love that comes from God, read 1 John 4:7. For the new command, read John 13:34.
What does 1 John 3:18 mean?
It means love has to be shown in deed and in truth. John tells his readers not to stop at words or speech when a brother or sister needs real help. Practical love meets the need, keeps its word, and shows up.
Does it mean words of love don't matter?
No. Words of love matter when they match deeds. John is not against saying you love someone. He is against speech that never becomes help. Say the words, then do the work.
What is the KJV wording?
The King James says, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
