1 John 3
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1See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. 4Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. 6Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him. 7Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. 10In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. 11For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. 15Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 16By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? 18My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. 19And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, 20because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; 22and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 23This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded. 24He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.
World English Bible (public domain)
“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.”
1 John 3:1
Summary
1 John 3 discusses the profound love of God bestowed upon believers, calling them 'children of God'. This identity shapes their character and conduct, as they are called to live righteously, rejecting sin. The chapter contrasts the nature of God's children with that of the world, emphasizing purity, righteousness, and love as hallmarks of those born of God. The chapter strongly insists on love as a moral imperative, linking one's love for fellow believers with their relationship with God. It highlights the manifestation of love through actions, encouraging believers not to love in word or talk but in deed and truth. John reassures them of God's abiding presence and assurance of answered prayers when they obey His commandments and believe in Jesus Christ.
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Chapter outline
How 1 John 3 unfolds
1 John 3:1–2 The Father's Love for Us
The chapter opens by expressing the greatness of God's love, which allows believers to be called children of God, highlighting their distinct identity.
1 John 3:3–6 Purity and Sinlessness
John emphasizes that those who have this hope purify themselves, contrasting the nature of God's children who do not sin with those who do.
1 John 3:7–10 Righteousness as Evidence
The text warns against being misled, asserting that true righteousness reveals one as a child of God, while unrighteousness indicates a connection to the devil.
1 John 3:11–15 The Command to Love
John reiterates the command to love one another, using the example of Cain to illustrate the contrast between love and hatred, and its consequences.
1 John 3:16–18 Demonstrating Christ-like Love
The chapter defines love through Christ's sacrifice and calls believers to act with tangible compassion rather than mere words.
1 John 3:19–22 Assurance Before God
John assures believers that their love for others provides confidence before God, leading to the realization that obeying His commandments brings answered prayer.
1 John 3:23–24 Commandments of Belief and Love
The chapter concludes with a summary of God's commandments, emphasizing belief in Jesus and love for one another as essential for abiding in God.
Key verses
1 John 3:1The key verse encapsulates the chapter’s focus on the profound love of God that defines believers' identity and their ethical responsibilities.
Main themes in 1 John 3
God's love
The theme of God's love is introduced in verses 1-2, where believers are identified as children of God. This designation highlights the depth of God's affection and shapes the identity of those who follow Him. As the chapter progresses, this love becomes the impetus for righteous living and ethical conduct, illustrating how understanding one's identity in God's love influences behavior toward others.
Righteous living
Righteous living is a central theme in verses 4-10, where John draws a clear distinction between the behaviors of God's children and those of the devil. This contrast emphasizes that living righteously is not merely an option but a vital expression of one's relationship with God. The chapter develops this idea by framing moral integrity as essential to genuine faith, thereby encouraging believers to reflect their divine parentage through their actions.
Christ-like love
Christ-like love takes center stage in verses 16-18, where believers are called to demonstrate love through tangible actions rather than mere words. John expands on this theme by connecting it to the sacrificial love of Christ, which serves as the ultimate model for how believers should interact with one another. This underscores that love is not just an emotion but a moral imperative that defines the community of faith and its relationships.
Children of God
The identity of believers as children of God is a prominent theme throughout the chapter, particularly highlighted in verses 1-2 and further in verses 9-10. This identity carries significant implications, linking it to expectations of purity and love among the faithful. As the chapter unfolds, it illustrates how this understanding of being God's children transforms lives, compelling believers to embody the characteristics of their Heavenly Father.
Cross-references
Passages that echo 1 John 3
- 1 John 4This chapter connects by further exploring the theme of love, emphasizing its importance in knowing God and being His children.
- Romans 8This passage echoes the assurance of believers as children of God, highlighting the implications of their identity for their relationship with Him.
- 1 John 2This connects through the discussion of righteousness, reinforcing that true knowledge of God leads to a righteous life.
- 1 John 5This passage develops the assurance of eternal life linked to love and obedience, paralleling themes in this chapter.
- John 15This connection is seen in the call to love one another, reflecting the mutual relationship between Jesus and His followers.
- John 1This chapter connects by introducing the concept of becoming children of God through faith, establishing a theme of divine relationship.
Study questions
Questions for studying 1 John 3
- What does it mean to be called a child of God?
- How does the world respond to those who are God's children?
- What is the significance of the command to love one another?
- How does John use the example of Cain to illustrate his message?
- In what ways are love and righteousness connected in this chapter?
- What assurance do believers have regarding their relationship with God?
1 John 3: frequently asked questions
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