1 John 3:1
What does 1 John 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 3:1 means
John calls us to behold, to pause and marvel at the quality of the Father’s love. It is not a distant favor but a love that names and makes us “children of God.” This identity is real—“and such we are”—not wishful thinking. Because God has set his name and family likeness upon us, the world, which did not recognize Him, does not recognize us either. The family resemblance creates estrangement. Our security rests not in the world’s approval but in the Father’s adopting love. Being called God’s children means we belong, are cared for, and are shaped by His character and purposes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See what great love the Father has given us in naming us the children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not see who we are, because it did not see who he was.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862See 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890See what love the Father has given to us, that we should be called [the] children ofGod. For this reason the world knows us not, because it knew him not.
Context
This opening note of wonder launches the chapter’s main theme: the privilege and implications of being God’s children. Coming from warnings about antichrists and the need to abide (end of chapter 2), John now re-centers identity before addressing conduct. The statement that the world does not know us anticipates the later contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil (verses 8–10) and the world’s hatred (verse 13). Verse 1 anchors everything that follows in the Father’s initiating love, so that the calls to purity and love flow from adoption, not from fear or mere duty.
v.1This passage
v.2Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 9:25
As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
- Galatians 3:29
And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.
- John 16:3
And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
- Jeremiah 3:19
But I said, How I will put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations! and I said, Ye shall call me My Father, and shall not turn away from following me.
- Colossians 3:3
For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- Romans 8:21
that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
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