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Read the Bible

King James Version

1 John 3:1

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Adoption;   Blindness;   God;   God Continued...;   Image;   Persecution;   Thompson Chain Reference - God's;   Love;   Love-Hatred;   Sons;   The Topic Concordance - Children;   Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ;   Jesus Christ;   Knowledge;   Love;   Purity;   Righteousness;   Seeing;   Sin;   Understanding;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Adoption;   Love of God, the;   Titles and Names of Saints;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Adoption;   Love;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Family Life and Relations;   Fatherhood of God;   World;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Adoption;   Union to Christ;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Son of God;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Adoption;   Son of God;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Call, Calling;   Hope;   Only Begotten;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Children (Sons) of God;   Ethics;   John, Epistles of;   John, Theology of;   Love, Lover, Lovely, Beloved;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Adoption;   Annunciation, the ;   Atonement (2);   Example;   God;   Grace;   Heaven;   John Epistles of;   Love;   Names and Titles of Christ;   Sanctification;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Son of God;   World;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Almighty;   Son;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Son of god;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - John the Baptist;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bestow;   Children of God;   Father, God the;   Johannine Theology, the;   John, the Epistles of;   Justification;   Love;   Praise;   Sons of God (New Testament);  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for November 21;   Every Day Light - Devotion for March 7;   Today's Word from Skip Moen - Devotion for July 5;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.
King James Version (1611)
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.
English Standard Version
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 American Standard Bible
See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him.
New Century Version
The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children. The reason the people in the world do not know us is that they have not known him.
THE MESSAGE
What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to 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.
Contemporary English Version
Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don't know who we are.
Complete Jewish Bible
See what love the Father has lavished on us in letting us be called God's children! For that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it has not known him.
Darby Translation
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much he loved us: We are called children of God. And we really are his children. But the people in the world don't understand that we are God's children, because they have not known him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
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.
George Lamsa Translation
SEE how abundant the love of the Fa ther 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.
Good News Translation
See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children—and so, in fact, we are. This is why the world does not know us: it has not known God.
Lexham English Bible
See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that we should be called children of God, and we are! Because of this the world does not know us: because it did not know him.
Literal Translation
See what manner of love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Amplified Bible
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.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
See 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.
Hebrew Names Version
Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.
International Standard Version
See what kind of love the Father has given us in letting us be called God's children! Yet that is what we are.Yet that is what we are.
">[fn] For this reason the world does not recognize us, because it did not recognize him either.John 1:12; 15:18-19; 16:3; 17:25;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
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.
Murdock Translation
1 And ye see, how great is the love of the Father towards us, who hath called us sons, and made us [fn] . Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it likewise knoweth him not.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Beholde what loue the father hath shewed on vs, that we shoulde be called the sonnes of god: For this cause the worlde knoweth you not, because it knoweth not hym.
English Revised Version
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.
World English Bible
Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
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.
Weymouth's New Testament
See what marvellous love the Father has bestowed upon us--that we should be called God's children: and that is what we are. For this reason the world does not recognize us--because it has not known Him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Se ye what maner charite the fadir yaf to vs, that we be named the sones of God, and ben hise sones. For this thing the world knewe not vs, for it knew not hym.
Update Bible Version
Look at what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God; and [such] we are. For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it did not know him.
Webster's Bible Translation
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 English Translation
(See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that we should be called God's children—and indeed we are! For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know him.
New King James Version
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! [fn] Therefore the world does not know us, [fn] because it did not know Him.
New Living Translation
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him.
New Life Bible
See what great love the Father has for us that He would call us His children. And that is what we are. For this reason the people of the world do not know who we are because they did not know Him.
New Revised Standard
See what love the Father has given 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.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
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.
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.
Revised Standard Version
See what love the Father has given 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.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Beholde what love the father hath shewed on vs that we shuld be called the sonnes of god. For this cause the worlde knoweth you not because it knoweth not him.
Young's Literal Translation
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;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Beholde what loue the father hath shewed on vs, yt we shulde be called the childre of God. Therfore ye worlde knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him.
Mace New Testament (1729)
Consider what proof the father has given us of his love, in allowing us to be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it knew him not.
Simplified Cowboy Version
God has showered us with his love like a spring rain on dry ground. He loves us so much he calls us his own kids. And if God says it, it is so. That's why the world treats us like it does. The world doesn't know God and doesn't know us.

Contextual Overview

1 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. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

what: 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, 2 Samuel 7:19, Psalms 31:19, Psalms 36:7-9, Psalms 89:1, Psalms 89:2, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:32, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 3:18, Ephesians 3:19

that: Jeremiah 3:19, Hosea 1:10, John 1:12, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:21, Romans 9:25, Romans 9:26, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 4:5, Galatians 4:6, Revelation 21:7

the world: John 15:18, John 15:19, John 16:3, John 17:25, Colossians 3:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:6 - a mighty prince Exodus 2:10 - and he Deuteronomy 7:7 - The Lord Deuteronomy 14:1 - the children Deuteronomy 32:6 - thy father 1 Samuel 18:23 - a light 1 Kings 8:27 - But will Esther 2:7 - took Song of Solomon 1:5 - black Isaiah 56:5 - and a Isaiah 64:4 - have not Malachi 3:17 - and I Matthew 7:11 - how Matthew 22:30 - in the Matthew 23:9 - for Mark 10:30 - an hundredfold John 1:10 - knew John 1:26 - whom John 11:36 - Behold John 14:21 - that loveth John 17:23 - and hast Acts 9:21 - amazed Romans 1:7 - God Romans 5:2 - and rejoice Romans 9:8 - are counted Romans 12:12 - Rejoicing Galatians 4:8 - when Galatians 4:31 - we Ephesians 1:5 - unto Ephesians 1:18 - is Ephesians 2:19 - household Ephesians 4:6 - God Ephesians 5:1 - as Philippians 2:15 - sons Colossians 1:12 - partakers Colossians 1:23 - the hope 1 Thessalonians 3:11 - God 1 Thessalonians 5:8 - the hope Hebrews 2:10 - many Hebrews 6:11 - of hope James 1:9 - in 1 John 3:2 - now are we the 1 John 4:16 - we

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13
And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Isaiah 27:1
In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:6
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:9
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Behold what manner of love,.... See, take notice, consider, look by faith, with wonder and astonishment, and observe how great a favour, what an instance of matchless love, what a wonderful blessing of grace,

the Father hath bestowed upon us: the Father of Christ, and the Father of us in Christ, who hath adopted us into his family, and regenerated us by his grace, and hath freely given us the new name:

that we should be called the sons of God. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version, add, "and we are", or "be"; and the Ethiopic version, "and have been"; for it is not a mere name that is bestowed, but the thing itself in reality; and in the Hebrew language, "to be called", and "to be", are terms synonymous; see Isaiah 9:6; in what sense the saints are the sons of God; Isaiah 9:6- :; this blessing comes not by nature, nor by merit, but by grace, the grace of adoption; which is of persons unto an inheritance they have no legal right unto; the spring of it is the everlasting and unchangeable love of God, for there was no need on the adopter's side, he having an only begotten and beloved Son, and no worth and loveliness in the adopted, they being by nature children of wrath; it is a privilege that exceeds all others, and is attended with many; so that it is no wonder the apostle breaks out in this pathetic manner, and calls upon the saints to view it with admiration and thankfulness:

therefore the world knoweth us not; that is, the greater part of the world, the world that lies in wickedness, the men of the world, who have their portion in this life, whom the god of this world has blinded, and who only mind the things of the world, and are as when they came into it, and have their conversation according to the course of it; these do not know the saints are the sons of God; the new name of sons is what no man knoweth but he that receiveth it; they do not own the saints as theirs, as belonging to them, but reckon them as the faith of the world, and the offscouring of all things; nor do they love them, and that because they are not their own, but hate them and persecute them: the reason is,

because it knew him not; neither the Father, whose sons they are, and who has bestowed the grace upon them; wherefore they know not, and disown and persecute his children; see John 17:25; nor the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, the firstborn among many brethren; who, though he made the world, and was in it, was not known by it, but was hated, abused, and persecuted; and therefore it need not seem strange that the saints, who are the sons of God by adoption, should be treated in like manner.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold, 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 into His family, and permitted to regard Him as our Father. When we remember how insignificant we are as creatures, and how ungrateful, rebellious, and vile we have been as sinners, we may well be amazed at the love which would adopt us into the holy family of God, so that we may be regarded and treated as the children of the Most High. A prince could manifest no higher love for a wandering, ragged, vicious orphan boy, found in the streets, than by adopting him into his own family, and admitting him to the same privileges and honors as his own sons; and yet this would be a trifle compared with the honor which God has bestowed on us.

The Father hath bestowed upon us - God, regarded as a Father, or as at the head of the universe considered as one family.

That we should be called the sons of God - That is, that we should “be” the sons of God - the word “called” being often used in the sense of “to be.” On the nature and privileges of adoption, see the Romans 8:15-17 notes; 2 Corinthians 6:18 note, and practical remarks on that chapter.

Therefore the world knoweth us not - Does not understand our principles; the reasons of our conduct; the sources of our comforts and joys. The people of the world regard us as fanatics or enthusiasts; as foolish in abandoning the pleasures and pursuits which they engage in; as renouncing certain happiness for that which is uncertain; as cherishing false and delusive hopes in regard to the future, and as practicing needless austerities, with nothing to compensate for the pleasures which are abandoned. There is nothing which the frivolous, the ambitious, and the selfish “less” understand than they do the elements which go into the Christian’s character, and the nature and source of the Christian’s joys.

Because it knew him not - It did not know the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, the world had no right views of the real character of the Lord Jesus when he was on the earth. They mistook him for an enthusiast or an impostor; and it is no wonder that, having wholly mistaken his character, they should mistake ours. On the fact that the world did not know him, see the 1 Corinthians 2:8 note; Acts 3:17 note. Compare John 17:25. On the fact that Christians may be expected to be regarded and treated as their Saviour was, see the notes at John 15:18-20. Compare Matthew 10:24-25.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER III.

The extraordinary love of God towards mankind, and the effects

of it, 1-3.

Sin is the transgression of the law, and Christ was manifested

to take away our sins, 4-6.

The children of God are known by the holiness of their lives,

the children of the devil by the sinfulness of theirs, 7-10.

We should love one another, for he that hateth his brother is a

murderer; as Christ laid down his life for us, so we should lay

down our lives for the brethren, 11-16.

Charity is a fruit of brotherly love; our love should be active,

not professional merely, 17, 18.

How we may know that we are of the truth, 19-21.

They whose ways please God, have an answer to all their prayers,

22.

The necessity of keeping the commandment of Christ, that he may

dwell in us and we in him by his Spirit, 23, 24.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse 1 John 3:1. Behold, 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 fulness 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. - ποταπην αγαπην. What great love, both as to quantity and quality; for these ideas are included in the original term. The length, the breadth, the depth, the height, he does not attempt to describe.

The Father hath bestowed — For we had neither claim nor merit that we should be called, that is, constituted or made, the sons of God, who were before children of the wicked one, animal, earthly, devilish; therefore, the love which brought us from such a depth of misery and degradation must appear the more extraordinary and impressive. After κληθωμεν, that we might be called, και εσμεν, and we are, is added by ABC, seventeen others, both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, Coptic, Sahidic, AEthiopic, Slavonic, and Vulgate.

Therefore the world — The Jews, and all who know not God, and are seeking their portion in this life; knoweth us not - do not acknowledge, respect, love, or approve of us. In this sense the word γενωσκειν is here to be understood. The world KNEW well enough that there were such persons; but they did not approve of them. We have often seen that this is a frequent use of the term know, both in Hebrew and Greek, in the Old Testament and also in the New.

Because it knew him not. — The Jews did not acknowledge Jesus; they neither approved of him, his doctrine, nor his manner of life.


 
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