1 John 3:1New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and [such] we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God: and [such] we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and [such] we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— See what love the Father has given to us, that we should be called [the] children of God. For this reason the world knows us not, because it knew him not.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Behold, what manner of love, the Father hath bestowed upon us—that, children of God, we should be called,—and such we are! Therefore, the world understandeth us not, because it understood not him.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— See ye what love the Father hath given to us, that children of God we may be called; because of this the world doth not know us, because it did not know Him;
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth not us, because it knew not him.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Beholde, what loue the Father hath giuen to vs, that we should be called the sonnes of God: for this cause this world knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Beholde, what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs, that wee should be called the sonnes of God: therfore the world knoweth vs not, because it knewe him not.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— SEE how abundant the love of the Father is toward us, for he has called us sons and made us; therefore the world does not know us because it did not know him.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— And see how great is the love of the Father toward us, that sons he hath called us, and also made us! Therefore the world doth not know us, because that it hath also not known him.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And ye see, how great is the love of the Father towards us, who hath called us sons, and made us [such]. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it likewise knoweth him not. |
Behold,
1492 {1492} Primeεἰδῶeido{i-do'}
A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know.
z5628 <5628> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Imperative (See G5794) Count - 459
what manner
4217 {4217} Primeποταπόςpotapos{pot-ap-os'}
Apparently from G4219 and the base of G4226; interrogitive whatever, that is, of what possible sort.
of love
26 {0026} Primeἀγάπηagape{ag-ah'-pay}
From G0025; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast.
the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
Father
3962 {3962} Primeπατήρpater{pat-ayr'}
Apparently a primary word; a 'father' (literally or figuratively, near or more remote).
hath bestowed
1325 {1325} Primeδίδωμιdidomi{did'-o-mee}
A prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternate in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection).
z5758 <5758> Grammar
Tense - Perfect (See G5778) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 516
upon us,
2254 {2254} Primeἡμῖνhemin{hay-meen'}
Dative plural of G1473; to (or for, with, by) us.
that
2443 {2443} Primeἵναhina{hin'-ah}
Probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result).
we should be called
2564 {2564} Primeκαλέωkaleo{kal-eh'-o}
Akin to the base of G2753; to 'call' (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise).
z5686 <5686> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Passive (See G5786) Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792) Count - 219
the sons
5043 {5043} Primeτέκνονteknon{tek'-non}
From the base of G5098; a child (as produced).
of God:
2316 {2316} Primeθεόςtheos{theh'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very.
therefore
1223 {1223} Primeδιάdia{dee-ah'}
A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import.
5124 {5124} Primeτοῦτοtouto{too'-to}
Neuter, singular, nomitive or accusative of G3778; that thing.
the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
world
2889 {2889} Primeκόσμοςkosmos{kos'-mos}
Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]).
knoweth
1097 {1097} Primeγινώσκωginosko{ghin-oce'-ko}
A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed).
z5719 <5719> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 3019
us
2248 {2248} Primeἡμᾶςhemas{hay-mas'}
Accusative plural of G1473; us.
not,
3756 {3756} Primeοὐou{oo}
A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not.
because
3754 {3754} Primeὅτιhoti{hot'-ee}
Neuter of G3748 as conjugation; demonstrative that (sometimes redundant); causatively because.
it knew
1097 {1097} Primeγινώσκωginosko{ghin-oce'-ko}
A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed).
z5627 <5627> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 2138 plus 1 in a variant reading in a footnote
him
846 {0846} Primeαὐτόςautos{ow-tos'}
From the particle αὖ [[au]] (perhaps akin to the base of G0109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of G1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons.
not.
3756 {3756} Primeοὐou{oo}
A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not. |
1 John 3:1
_ _ 1 John 3:1-24. Distinguishing marks of the children of God and the children of the devil. Brotherly love the essence of true righteousness.
_ _ Behold — calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire. This verse is connected with the previous 1 John 2:29, thus: All our doing of righteousness is a mere sign that God, of His matchless love, has adopted us as children; it does not save us, but is a proof that we are saved of His grace.
_ _ what manner of — of what surpassing excellence, how gracious on His part, how precious to us.
_ _ love ... bestowed — He does not say that God hath given us some gift, but love itself and the fountain of all honors, the heart itself, and that not for our works or efforts, but of His grace [Luther].
_ _ that — “what manner of love”; resulting in, proved by, our being, etc. The immediate effect aimed at in the bestowal of this love is, “that we should be called children of God.”
_ _ should be called — should have received the privilege of such a glorious title (though seeming so imaginary to the world), along with the glorious reality. With God to call is to make really to be. Who so great as God? What nearer relationship than that of sons? The oldest manuscripts add, “And we ARE SO” really.
_ _ therefore — “on this account,” because “we are (really) so.”
_ _ us — the children, like the Father.
_ _ it knew him not — namely, the Father. “If they who regard not God, hold thee in any account, feel alarmed about thy state” [Bengel]. Contrast 1 John 5:1. The world’s whole course is one great act of non-recognition of God. |
1 John 3:1-3
_ _ The apostle, having shown the dignity of Christ's faithful followers, that they are born of him and thereby nearly allied to God, now here,
_ _ I. Breaks forth into the admiration of that grace that is the spring of such a wonderful vouchsafement: Behold (see you, observe) what manner of love, or how great love, the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called, effectually called (he who calls things that are not makes them to be what they were not) the sons of God! The Father adopts all the children of the Son. The Son indeed calls them, and makes them his brethren; and thereby he confers upon them the power and dignity of the sons of God. It is wonderful condescending love of the eternal Father, that such as we should be made and called his sons — we who by nature are heirs of sin, and guilt, and the curse of God — we who by practice are children of corruption, disobedience, and ingratitude! Strange, that the holy God is not ashamed to be called our Father, and to call us his sons! Thence the apostle,
_ _ II. Infers the honour of believers above the cognizance of the world. Unbelievers know little of them. Therefore (or wherefore, upon this score) the world knoweth us not, 1 John 3:1. Little does the world perceive the advancement and happiness of the genuine followers of Christ. They are here exposed to the common calamities of earth and time; all things fall alike to them as to others, or rather they are subject to the greater sorrow, for they have often reason to say, If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable, 1 Corinthians 15:19. The unchristian world, therefore, that walks by sight, knows not their dignity, their privileges, the enjoyments they have in hand, nor what they are entitled to. Little does the world think that these poor, humble, contemned ones are the favourites of heaven, and will be inhabitants there ere long. And they may bear their case the better since their Lord was here unknown as well as they: Because it knew him not, 1 John 3:1. Little did the world think how great a person was once sojourning here, that the Maker of it was once an inhabitant of it. Little did the Jewish world think that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was one of their blood, and dwelt in their land; he came to his own, and his own received him not. He came to his own, and his own crucified him; but surely, had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Corinthians 2:8. Let the followers of Christ be content with hard fare here, since they are in a land of strangers, among those who little know them, and their Lord was so treated before them. Then the apostle,
_ _ III. Exalts these persevering disciples in the prospect of the certain revelation of their state and dignity. Here, 1. Their present honourable relation is asserted: Beloved (you may well be our beloved, for you are beloved of God), now are we the sons of God, 1 John 3:2. We have the nature of sons by regeneration: we have the title, and spirit, and right to the inheritance of sons by adoption. This honour have all the saints. 2. The discovery of the bliss belonging and suitable to this relation is denied: And it doth not yet appear what we shall be, 1 John 3:2. The glory pertaining to the sonship and adoption is adjourned and reserved for another world. The discovery of it here would put a stop to the current of affairs that must now proceed. The sons of God must walk by faith, and live by hope. 3. The time of the revelation of the sons of God in their proper state and glory is determined; and that is when their elder brother comes to call and collect them all together: But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him. The particle, ean, usually translated if, is here well rendered when; for the Hebrew particle am (to which this is thought to correspond) is observed so to signify, as Dr. Whitby has here noted; and not only is ean sometimes used for hotan, but some copies even here read hotan, when. And accordingly it seems proper so to render it in John 14:3, where we read it, And if I go, and prepare a place; but more naturally and properly, When I shall have gone, and shall have prepared the place, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, or paralēpsomai — I will take you along with myself, that where I am there you may be also. When the head of the church, the only-begotten of the Father, shall appear, his members, the adopted of God, shall appear and be manifested together with him. They may then well wait in faith, hope, and earnest desire, for the revelation of the Lord Jesus; as even the creation itself waiteth for their perfection, and the public manifestation of the sons of God, Romans 8:19. The sons of God will be known and be made manifest by their likeness to their head: They shall be like him — like him in honour, and power, and glory. Their vile bodies shall be made like his glorious body; they shall be filled with life, light, and bliss from him. When he, who is their life, shall appear, they also shall appear with him in glory, Colossians 3:4. Then, 4. Their likeness to him is argued from the sight they shall have of him: We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Their likeness will be the cause of that sight which they shall have of him. Indeed, all shall see him, but not as they do; not as he is, namely, to those in heaven. The wicked shall see him in his frowns, in the terror of his majesty, and the splendour of his avenging perfections; but these shall see him in the smiles and beauty of his face, in the correspondence and amiableness of his glory, in the harmony and agreeableness of his beatific perfections. Their likeness shall enable them to see him as the blessed do in heaven. Or the sight of him shall be the cause of their likeness; it shall be a transformative sight: they shall be transformed into the same image by the beatific view that they shall have of him. Then the apostle,
_ _ IV. Urges the engagement of these sons of God to the prosecution of holiness: And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure, 1 John 3:3. The sons of God know that their Lord is holy and pure; he is of purer heart and eyes than to admit any pollution or impurity to dwell with him. Those then who hope to live with him must study the utmost purity from the world, and flesh, and sin; they must grow in grace and holiness. Not only does their Lord command them to do so, but their new nature inclines them so to do; yea, their hope of heaven will dictate and constrain them so to do. They know that their high priest is holy, harmless, and undefiled. They know that their Go and Father is the high and holy one, that all the society is pure and holy, that their inheritance is an inheritance of saints in light. It is a contradiction to such hope to indulge sin and impurity. And therefore, as we are sanctified by faith, we must be sanctified by hope. That we may be saved by hope we must be purified by hope. It is the hope of hypocrites, and not of the sons of God, that makes an allowance for the gratification of impure desires and lusts. |
1 John 3:1
That we should be called — That is, should be, the children of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not — They know not what to make of us. We are a mystery to them. |
1 John 3:1
Behold, (1) (a) what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be (b) called the sons of God: (2) therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(1) He begins to declare this agreement of the Father and the Son, at the highest cause, that is, at that free love of God towards us, with which he so loves us, that also he adopts us to be his children.
(a) What a gift of how great love.
(b) That we should be the sons of God, and so, that all the world may see that we are so. (2) Before he declares this adoption, he says two things: the one, that this so great a dignity, is not to be esteemed according to the judgment of the flesh, because it is unknown to the world, for the world knows not God the Father himself. |
- what:
1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. ... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
2 Samuel 7:19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And [is] this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
Psalms 31:19 [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Psalms 36:7-9 How excellent [is] thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. ... For with thee [is] the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psalms 89:1-2 [[Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.]] I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. ... For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ... Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 3:18-19 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ... And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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- that:
Jeremiah 3:19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Hosea 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ... And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 9:25-26 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. ... And it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:5-6 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. ... And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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- the world:
John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. ... If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 16:3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
John 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
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