Behold what manner of love the Father has given to usThis phrase invites the reader to pause and reflect on the extraordinary nature of God's love. The term "behold" is a call to attention, emphasizing the importance of understanding the depth and quality of divine love. The love of the Father is not earned but given, highlighting the grace and generosity inherent in God's nature. This love is reminiscent of the covenantal love God showed Israel, as seen in
Deuteronomy 7:7-8, where God's choice of Israel is based on His love and faithfulness, not their merit.
that we should be called children of God
Being called "children of God" signifies a profound transformation in identity and status. This concept is rooted in the idea of adoption, a legal practice in Roman culture where an adopted child received the same rights and inheritance as a biological child. This spiritual adoption is echoed inRomans 8:15-17, where believers receive the Spirit of sonship and become heirs with Christ. It underscores the intimate relationship believers have with God, moving from creation to family.
And that is what we are!
This affirmation reinforces the reality of the believer's new identity. It is not merely a title but a present reality. The certainty of this statement reflects the assurance of salvation and the transformative power of God's love. This echoesJohn 1:12, where those who receive Christ are given the right to become children of God, emphasizing the legitimacy and permanence of this new identity.
The reason the world does not know us
The world, in this context, refers to the system of values and beliefs opposed to God. The lack of recognition from the world is due to a fundamental difference in nature and allegiance. This is consistent with Jesus' teaching inJohn 15:18-19, where He explains that the world hates His followers because they are not of the world, just as He is not. This distinction highlights the believer's separation from worldly values and the spiritual blindness of those who do not know God.
is that it did not know Him
The world's failure to recognize believers is rooted in its failure to recognize God Himself. This reflects the spiritual ignorance and rejection of God that is prevalent in human history. InJohn 1:10-11, it is noted that Jesus came into the world He created, yet the world did not recognize Him. This lack of recognition is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating the spiritual blindness that can only be overcome through divine revelation and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
John the ApostleThe author of the epistle, one of Jesus' closest disciples, known for his emphasis on love and truth.
2.
God the FatherThe source of the love bestowed upon believers, calling them His children.
3.
Children of GodRefers to believers who have received God's love and are identified as His children.
4.
The WorldRepresents those who do not recognize or understand the identity and relationship believers have with God.
5.
Jesus ChristImplied in the text as the one whom the world did not know, leading to their lack of understanding of believers.
Teaching Points
The Magnitude of God's LoveReflect on the depth and quality of God's love that allows us to be called His children. This love is not earned but freely given.
Identity in ChristEmbrace and live out the identity of being a child of God. This identity should shape our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others.
The World's MisunderstandingUnderstand that the world may not recognize or understand our identity in Christ because it does not know Him. This should not deter us from living out our faith.
Assurance of BelongingFind assurance and comfort in the fact that we are indeed God's children, as stated emphatically in the scripture.
Living as God's ChildrenConsider how being a child of God influences our daily lives, decisions, and how we relate to others, both believers and non-believers.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 John 3:1?
2.How does 1 John 3:1 deepen your understanding of God's love for us?
3.What does being called "children of God" imply about our identity in Christ?
4.How can you live daily as a "child of God" in today's world?
5.Connect 1 John 3:1 with John 1:12 on becoming God's children.
6.How should God's love in 1 John 3:1 influence your interactions with others?
7.How does 1 John 3:1 define God's love for humanity?
8.What does "children of God" mean in 1 John 3:1?
9.How does 1 John 3:1 challenge our understanding of identity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 John 3?
11.In 1 John 3:1, how can the claim that believers are “children of God” be reconciled with human evolution?
12.What does the Bible say about child custody issues?
13.What defines being a child of God?
14.What is the main message of 2 John?What Does 1 John 3:1 Mean
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us• John’s opening word, “Behold,” is an invitation to pause and stare in amazement. Scripture repeatedly calls us to marvel at God’s love, not treat it as common (cf.Psalm 103:11;John 3:16).
• “The Father” anchors love in God’s own character. AsJames 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
• The gift is present and personal—love given “to us.”Romans 5:8 affirms, “God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.
• This love is not abstract; it is demonstrated in the sending of His Son (1 John 4:9-10) and in the daily mercies that surround believers (Lamentations 3:22-23).
That we should be called children of God• The phrase signals adoption into God’s household.John 1:12 says, “To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
• Being “called” children is legal language—God publicly declares our new status.Galatians 4:5-7 explains that we have received “adoption as sons,” crying, “Abba, Father.”
• Practical implications:
– Identity: our worth flows from belonging to God, not from performance (Ephesians 1:5-6).
– Family resemblance: children grow to reflect their Father’s character (Matthew 5:48;1 Peter 1:15-16).
– Inheritance: “If children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).
And that is what we are!• John moves from title to reality. God’s declaration is fact, not wishful thinking (cf.Numbers 23:19).
• Assurance flows from God’s completed work: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16).
• Present-tense certainty steadies us when feelings fluctuate.1 John 5:13 echoes the purpose: “I have written to you who believe… so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
• This confidence fuels holy living (1 John 3:3) and bold prayer (Hebrews 4:16).
The reason the world does not know us• “The world” refers to the system opposed to God (1 John 2:15-17).
• Because believers bear God’s family likeness, they seem foreign to a world walking in darkness (John 15:18-19).
• Practical fallout: misunderstanding, marginalization, even persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Perspective: our obscurity on earth highlights our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Is that it did not know Him• The root issue is spiritual blindness toward God Himself.John 1:10-11 records, “He was in the world… yet the world did not recognize Him.”
• Unbelief is moral as much as intellectual; light is rejected because deeds are evil (John 3:19-20).
•2 Corinthians 4:4 explains that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.”
• For believers, sharing Christ means expecting the same treatment He received (John 15:20) while praying that God opens blind eyes (Acts 26:18).
summaryJohn 3:1 invites us to marvel: the Father’s extraordinary love has legally and actually made us His children. This present reality grants assurance, shapes identity, and guarantees inheritance. Yet the very adoption that delights us sets us at odds with a world that does not recognize its Creator. Our calling, therefore, is to rest in the certainty of God’s love, reflect His character, and remain faithful even when misunderstood, knowing that our unseen status is eternally secure.
Verse 1-1 John 5:12. - 3. SECOND MAIN DIVISION.
God is Love.Verses 1-24. - (1) The
evidence of sonship. Righteousness.
Verses 1-3. - The Divine birth is the outcome of the Divine love.
Verse 1. -
Behold what manner of love!Ποταπός; literally, "of what country," in the New Testament always implies amazement (
Matthew 8:27;
Mark 13:1;
Luke 1:29;
Luke 7:39;
2 Peter 3:11); but, as the original meaning leads us to expect, it implies marvelous
quality rather than marvelous
size. Love must be taken literally: the Divine love itself, and not a mere proof of it, has been given.
Ποταπὴν ἀγάπην strikes the key-note of the whole section. "And the goal of this love
ἵνα is that once for all (aorist) we have received the title 'children of God.'" And, whatever cavilers may say, the title is rightfully ours. (The words, "and (such) we are," are quite rightly inserted in the Revised Version after "children of God.") This is shown by the fact that the world does not recognize us as such, because from the first it did not recognize God. Had it known the Father, it would have known the children,
Διὰ τοῦτο in St. John refers to what precedes (
John 5:16, 18;
John 7:22;
John 8:47;
John 10:17;
John 12:18, 27, 39); it does not merely anticipate the
ὅτι which follows it. In logical phraseology we have here first the major premise, then the conclusion introduced by
διὰ τοῦτο, then (to clench the argument) the minor premise introduced by
ὅτι, -
We are children of God;Thereforethe world knows us not;Forthe world knows not God. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Behold
Ἴδετε(Idete)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.
what manner of
ποταπὴν(potapēn)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4217:Of what kind, of what manner. Apparently from pote and the base of pou; interrogatively, whatever, i.e. Of what possible sort.
love
ἀγάπην(agapēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26:From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.
the
ὁ(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Father
Πατὴρ(Patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.
has given
δέδωκεν(dedōken)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.
to us,
ἡμῖν(hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
that
ἵνα(hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.
we should be called
κληθῶμεν(klēthōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2564:(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.
children
τέκνα(tekna)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043:A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.
of God.
Θεοῦ(Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
And [that is what]
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.
we are!
ἐσμέν(esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
The reason
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.
the
ὁ(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
world
κόσμος(kosmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889:Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).
does not know
γινώσκει(ginōskei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097:A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.
us
ἡμᾶς(hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
[is] that
ὅτι(hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.
it did not know
ἔγνω(egnō)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097:A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.
Him.
αὐτόν(auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
Links
1 John 3:1 NIV
1 John 3:1 NLT
1 John 3:1 ESV
1 John 3:1 NASB
1 John 3:1 KJV
1 John 3:1 BibleApps.com
1 John 3:1 Biblia Paralela
1 John 3:1 Chinese Bible
1 John 3:1 French Bible
1 John 3:1 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 John 3:1 Behold how great a love the Father (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
