1 John 3:1

Behold. In chapter 2:29 the apostle has introduced the thought of being born of God. He realizes that such birth is due to the operation of divine love. This leads him to consider that love and the type of conduct it should produce in the believer. He now bids his readers to share such thoughts by contemplating the matchless love of the Father.

What manner. Greek potapos, an interrogative that originally meant “from what country?” but which came to mean “what sort?” “what quality?” and often implied admiring amazement (cf. Matt. 8:27; Mark 13:1; Luke 1:29). John is lost in wonder as he contemplates the measureless height and depth of divine love.

Love. Greek agape (see on 1 Cor. 13:1; cf. on Matt. 5:43, 44), a word that is used only 9 times in the four Gospels but more than 100 times in the remainder of the NT. John uses agape and the related verb agapad, “to love,” no less than 46 times in this epistle. He is so captivated by the magnitude of divine affection that the theme fills his heart, as it should fill the hearts of all Christians.

Father. The use of the family title naturally precedes mention of the “sons of God.”

Hath bestowed. Greek didomi, “to give.” The use of the perfect tense emphasizes the fact that the act of giving is completed but its results continue. Nothing can alter the fact that God has bestowed His love upon mankind in general and upon His spiritual children in particular. Men may respond to that love or they may spurn it, but God, for His part, has irrevocably poured it out upon His creation.

Called. While this verb may not refer to the divine call in its Pauline sense (Rom. 8:28-30), it is clear reference to God’s gracious act in taking sinners into His family and calling them His children.

Sons of God. Rather, “children of God” (see on John 1:12). Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the addition of the clause, “and we are.” The additional words, in harmony with John’s style (cf. 1 John 1:2), underline the reality of the sonship, which exists not only in the mind of God but in the lives of the believers.

Therefore. Literally, “through this,” or “because of this,” referring back to the sonship, which provides the reason why the world does not recognize the Christian, as well as looking forward to the statement that the world knew not God.

World. Here meaning those who oppose God (see on ch. 2:15).

Knoweth. Greek ginosko (see on ch. 2:29). The clause may be paraphrased, “the world does not recognize us because it never had personal acquaintance with God.” Worldlings have refused to become acquainted with the Father, and it is natural that they should fail, or be unwilling, to recognize those whom God calls His children. The more God’s children reflect His character, the more they will arouse the anger of those who have rejected His love. Although worldlings have every reason to love Christians, because of their kind and upright lives, Christians are not to be surprised if they are hated instead (cf. Matt. 5:10-12; 10:16-18).