King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:1 Mean?

1 John 3:1 in the King James Version says “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the wo...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 John 3:1 · KJV

Love

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. John's exclamation "Behold" (idete) is a command to observe, consider deeply, and marvel. "What manner of love" (potapēn agapēn) expresses astonishment at the quality and magnitude of divine love. This isn't sentimental affection but covenant love demonstrated through adoption. "Hath bestowed" (dedōken) in perfect tense indicates a completed gift with lasting effects—God gave us this love, and it remains permanently.

"That we should be called the sons of God" (hina tekna theou klēthōmen) uses tekna (children) rather than huioi (sons with inheritance rights), though both concepts appear in Scripture. To be called God's children is not merely honorific title but actual reality—we are truly His children through regeneration and adoption. Some manuscripts add "and we are," emphasizing that the title reflects reality, not pretense. This is breathtaking: finite, sinful creatures adopted into God's family with full rights and privileges.

The consequence follows: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." The world's rejection of believers mirrors its rejection of Christ. We shouldn't expect recognition or acceptance from a world system opposed to God. Yet this rejection confirms our identity—those truly belonging to God will be misunderstood and opposed by those who don't know Him. Our adoption as God's children simultaneously brings greatest blessing and guarantees conflict with the world.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the Roman world, adoption carried significant legal and social weight. An adopted son received full inheritance rights, took the adopter's name, and gained complete legal standing as a son—all previous debts and obligations were erased. Paul uses this imagery extensively (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1:5). For John's readers, who understood Roman adoption law, being called God's children meant complete legal transformation.

Jewish readers would recall Israel's adoption as God's son (Exodus 4:22, Hosea 11:1). However, John's theology goes beyond national identity—individual believers are personally adopted through faith in Christ. The Gnostics claimed elite spiritual status through secret knowledge, creating hierarchy among believers. John democratizes sonship—all who believe are God's children, regardless of spiritual gifts or mystical experiences.

The world's rejection was very real for John's readers. Christians faced social ostracism, economic discrimination, and periodic persecution. John reframes this suffering not as evidence against their faith but as confirmation of their true identity. They were misunderstood and rejected because they belonged to God, whom the world had rejected in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should meditating on our adoption as God's children shape our identity and daily decisions?
  2. Why does the world's rejection of believers actually confirm rather than challenge their status as God's children?
  3. How can believers maintain both humility (we were enemies) and confidence (we are His children)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ἴδετε1 of 22

“Behold”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ποταπὴν2 of 22

“what manner”

G4217

interrogatively, whatever, i.e., of what possible sort

ἀγάπην3 of 22

“of love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

δέδωκεν4 of 22

“hath bestowed”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἡμῖν5 of 22

“upon us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

ὁ6 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ7 of 22

“the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἵνα8 of 22

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

τέκνα9 of 22

“the sons”

G5043

a child (as produced)

Θεοῦ10 of 22

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

κληθῶμεν11 of 22

“we should be called”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

διὰ12 of 22

“therefore”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο13 of 22
G5124

that thing

ὁ14 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος15 of 22

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

οὐκ16 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔγνω17 of 22

“it knew”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ἡμᾶς18 of 22

“us”

G2248

us

ὅτι19 of 22

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ20 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔγνω21 of 22

“it knew”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

αὐτόν22 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 3:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 1:12Galatians 3:262 Corinthians 6:18Galatians 4:5-6John 3:16John 17:25

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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