1 John 3

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 3 of 5

1 See what manner of love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God. Because of this the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2 Beloved ones, now we are the children of God, and it was not yet revealed what we shall be. But we know that if He is made visible to us, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

3 And every one having this hope upon Him purifies himself even as that One is pure.

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Chapter Summary

He declares the singular love of God towards us.

Key Greek Words

ἀγάπη love G26
τέκνον child G5043
ἁμαρτία sin G266
ἀνομία lawlessness G458
δικαιοσύνη righteousness G1343
μένω abide G3306

People & Context

God the Father

The one whose manner of love makes believers His children; greater than our heart and knows all things

Jesus Christ

The Son of God revealed to take away sins and undo the devil's works; He laid down His life for us

The Devil

The one who sins from the beginning; those who practice sin are his children, his works to be undone

Cain

The one of the evil one who slaughtered his righteous brother because his own works were evil

Holy Spirit

The Spirit God gave to believers, by whom they know that He abides in them

Timeline

The Privilege of Being Called Children of God

The Father has lavished such love upon believers that they are called children of God. The world does not know them because it did not know Him. When He appears, they shall be like Him, seeing Him as He is.

1 John 3:1-3
Sin is Lawlessness; Christ Removes Sin

Sin is defined as lawlessness, and Christ was revealed to take away sins. Everyone remaining in Him does not sin; the one practicing sin has neither seen nor known Him.

1 John 3:4-6
Distinguishing Children of God from the Devil

The one practicing righteousness is of God; the one practicing sin is of the devil, who has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was manifested to destroy the devil's works. Those generated from God cannot practice sin because His seed abides in them.

1 John 3:7-10

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