It matters not what particular thing they need, or what they ask of us, or what their interest requires that we do. Love will do it and love will supply it. Indeed, we must not misunderstand John in v. 18. He means that we must not just talk love but actually give love. But, love is very often given most helpfully and fruitfully with our words and with our tongues.
Love is carried by speech more profoundly than by any other means.
All of us need such loving speech from one another more than we need food and clothing. Words, the right words, are our most important deeds of love. Much as he loved meat, he would live as a vegetarian if it would build up his brother. But, says John, love always chooses its works not from its own interests, but always and only from the interests and the needs of others. You may remember that after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, the protestants in France, the Huguenots, suffered terrible persecution.