Amplified Bible
1 John 3:1
1See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
- English Standard Version (ESV)See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Context of 1 John 3:1
See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]. 3And everyone who has this hope [confidently placed] in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (holy, undefiled, guiltless).
Read all of 1 John 31 John 3:1 word by word
ἴδετε ποταπὴν ἀγάπην δέδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ πατήρ, ἵνα τέκνα θεοῦ κληθῶμεν καὶ ἐσμέν. διὰ τοῦτο ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Beholdὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- what manner ofποταπόςpotapos · of what kind?G4217
- loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
- the Fatherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
- hath bestowedδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- upon usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- we should be calledκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
- the sonsτέκνονteknon · childG5043
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- thereforeδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
- knowethγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
- notοὐou · noG3756
- becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
- himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
Cross-references for 1 John 3:1
- 1 John 4:9By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him.
- 2 Samuel 7:19Yet this was very insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of Your servant’s house (royal dynasty) in the distant future. And this is the law and custom of man, O Lord God.
- Psalms 31:19How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who [reverently] fear You, Which You have prepared for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of man!
- Psalms 36:7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
- Psalms 89:1I will sing of the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord forever; With my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation.
- John 3:16“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
- Romans 5:8But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 8:32He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
- Ephesians 2:4But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us,
- Ephesians 3:18be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];
- Jeremiah 3:19“Then I said, ‘How [gloriously and honorably] I would set you among My children And give you a pleasant land—a wonderful heritage, The most beautiful inheritance of the nations!’ And I said, ‘You shall call Me, My Father And not turn away from following Me.’
- Hosea 1:10Yet the number of the sons of Israel Shall be like the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered; And in the place Where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.”
- John 1:12But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
- Romans 8:14For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
- Romans 9:25Just as He says in [the writings of the prophet] Hosea: “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ And [I will call] her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’ ”
- 2 Corinthians 6:18And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty.
Commentaries on 1 John 3:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Behold, what manner of love - Whole volumes might be written upon this and the two following verses, without exhausting the extraordinary subject contained in them, viz., the love of God to man. The apostle himself, though evidently filled with God, and walking in the fullness of his light, does not attempt to describe it; he calls on the world and the Church to behold it, to look upon it, to contemplate it, and wonder at it. What manner of love. - · What…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Behold, what manner of love - What love, in “kind” and in “degree.” In kind the most tender and the most ennobling, in adopting us into His family, and in permitting us to address Him as our Father; in “degree” the most exalted, since there is no higher love that can be shown than in adopting a poor and friendless orphan, and giving him a parent and a home. Even God could bestow upon us no more valuable token of affection than that we should be adopted…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Chapter Outline The apostle admires the love of God in making believers his children. (1-2) The purifying influence of the hope of seeing Christ, and the danger of pretending to this, and living in sin. (3-10) Love to the brethren is the character of real Christians. (11-15) That love described by its actings. (16-21) The advantage of faith, love, and obedience. (22-24) Verses 1-2 Little does the world know of the happiness of the real followers of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-3When Christ returns, we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. God’s children bear the image of Christ and will share in his glory (see Romans 8:18–30). Those who have this hope keep themselves pure, seeking to become more like Christ as they await his glorious return. It is partly for this reason that God’s children will not be ashamed when Christ comes (1 John 2:29).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-241Jo 3:1-24. Distinguishing Marks of the Children of God and the Children of the Devil. Brotherly Love the Essence of True Righteousness. 1. Behold--calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire. This verse is connected with the previous 1Jo 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…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 John 3:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 John 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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