1 John 3
Children of God
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. Love: 1 Corinthians 2:9. Parallel theme: Psalms 17:15, Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 15:49, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:21, Colossians 3:4, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 22:4 +5
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Hope: Colossians 1:5, Titus 3:7. Parallel theme: 1 John 2:6, Matthew 5:48, Acts 15:9, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 7:26, 12:14, 2 Peter 1:4, 3:14 +5
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Sin: 1 John 5:17, 2 Corinthians 12:21, James 5:15. Word: Numbers 15:31, 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 24:20, Daniel 9:11, Romans 3:20, 4:15 +5
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Sin: John 1:29, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 1:3, 4:15, 9:26, 9:28, 1 Peter 2:22, 2:24, 3:18, Revelation 1:5 +5
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Sin: 1 John 3:9, 5:18. Parallel theme: 1 John 2:4, 2:28, 3:2, 4:8, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 3 John 1:11 +3
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sinSin: ἁμαρτία (Hamartia). The Greek hamartia (ἁμαρτία) means sin—missing the target of God's perfection. 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23), requiring Christ's atoning sacrifice.; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. References God: 1 John 4:6, John 8:47, Ephesians 5:1. Love: 1 John 4:8, 4:21, 5:2, Luke 6:35, 3 John 1:11. Evil: Matthew 13:38, John 8:44 +5
Love One Another
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteousRighteous: δίκαιος (Dikaios). The Greek dikaios (δίκαιος) means righteous or just—conforming to God's standard. Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers through faith (Romans 4:5), making them legally righteous before God.. Righteousness: Proverbs 29:27, Matthew 23:35, Hebrews 11:4. Evil: 1 Peter 4:4. Parallel theme: Genesis 4:25, Luke 11:51, Jude 1:11 +2
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Love: 1 John 3:23, 5:2, John 13:35, 15:12, Colossians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22. Parallel theme: Matthew 25:40, John 5:24 +5
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the loveLove: ἀγάπη (Agape). The Greek agape (ἀγάπη) denotes self-sacrificial, unconditional love—the highest form of love, characterizing God's nature (1 John 4:8) and the love Christians are called to demonstrate. of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. in him? Good: Hebrews 13:16. Love: 1 John 4:20, 5:1. Parallel theme: Proverbs 12:10, 19:17, 28:9, Luke 3:11, 2 Corinthians 8:9, James 2:15 +4
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Love: Ezekiel 33:31, Romans 12:9, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:22. Parallel theme: 1 John 2:1 +2
Confidence Before God
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. Truth: John 18:37, Hebrews 10:22. Parallel theme: 1 John 3:21, Isaiah 32:17, John 13:35, Romans 4:21, 2 Timothy 1:12 +2
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. References God: 1 John 4:4, Job 33:12. Parallel theme: Job 27:6, Jeremiah 17:10, 23:24, John 21:17, 1 Corinthians 4:4, Hebrews 4:13 +3
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and loveLove: ἀγάπη (Agape). The Greek agape (ἀγάπη) denotes self-sacrificial, unconditional love—the highest form of love, characterizing God's nature (1 John 4:8) and the love Christians are called to demonstrate. one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. Spirit: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, 2 Timothy 1:14. Word: 1 John 3:22. Parallel theme: 1 John 2:6, 4:7, John 17:21, 2 Corinthians 6:16 +3