Read · Listen · Study

1 John 3 · Berean Standard Bible

Playback speed

¹Behold 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. ²Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. ³And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure. ⁴Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. ⁵But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. ⁶No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him. ⁷Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. ⁸The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. ⁹Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. ¹⁰By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. ¹¹This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. ¹²Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. ¹³So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. ¹⁴We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. ¹⁶By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ¹⁷If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? ¹⁸Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. ¹⁹And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: ²⁰Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. ²¹Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, ²²and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. ²³And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. ²⁴Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

1 John

1 John 3

Living as God's Children in Love and Righteousness

✦

Objective

1 John 3 deepens the themes of love, righteousness, and identity by emphasizing what it means to live as God's children. John contrasts the behavior of those who belong to God with those who follow sin, focusing on the transformative power of being born of God. This chapter calls believers to love one another with actions and truth, reflecting the love of Christ, and reassures them of their standing before God.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

John marvels at the love of God that allows believers to be called His children. This identity sets them apart from the world and motivates them to purify themselves in anticipation of Christ's return.

Central Themes

God's Lavish Love: Believers' adoption as children of God is an extraordinary expression of His love.

Our Identity in Christ: Being God's children defines how believers live and are perceived by the world.

Hope and Purity: The hope of seeing Christ motivates holy living.

Cultural & Historical Context

Children of God: Reflects John 1:12, which describes believers as those given the right to become God's children. World's Rejection: Parallels John 15:18-19, where Jesus warns that the world will reject His followers. Hope Leading to Purity: Echoes 2 Corinthians 7:1, which calls believers to purify themselves out of reverence for God.

Key Verse

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1)

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Lavish Love of God

A radiant light pouring out from heaven onto a group of believers, symbolizing God's love making them His children, while the world looks on in confusion.

Victory Over Sin

Chains breaking from a believer's wrists as they stand in light, symbolizing freedom from sin through Christ's victory over the devil.

Love in Action

A pair of hands offering bread and water to a weary traveler, symbolizing love expressed through practical deeds.

Song

Children of the Father

Verse 1

Behold His love, so rich, so pure, A love that calls and makes us sure. As children we now boldly stand, Held by the Father’s gentle hand.

Verse 2

Not just in word, but in deeds we show, A love that moves where mercy flows. Through Christ we serve, through Christ we give, A sacrificial love to live.

Chorus

Oh, children of the Father, in His light we remain, His love transforms our hearts, and we’ll never be the same. We’ll walk in truth and righteousness, His glory to proclaim, Oh, children of the Father, we rejoice in Jesus’ name.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Embrace Your Identity: Meditate on your identity as a child of God and live with confidence in His love.

Pursue Holiness: Strive to reflect God's righteousness in your daily actions.

Love Tangibly: Express love for others through practical and selfless actions.

Community & Society

Build Loving Communities: Foster relationships in your church and community that reflect God's love.

Serve the Needy: Demonstrate love through acts of kindness and support for those in need.

Address Hatred with Love: Be an example of forgiveness and reconciliation in a divided world.

Global Perspective

Proclaim God's Love: Share the message of God's lavish love for all people.

Fight Injustice: Reflect God's righteousness by standing against hatred and evil globally.

Promote Unity: Encourage believers worldwide to live as God's children, united in love and truth.

Conclusion

1 John 3 is a profound call to live as God's children, marked by love, righteousness, and assurance in Christ. It challenges believers to demonstrate their faith through sacrificial love and holy living while offering confidence in their relationship with God. This chapter inspires Christians to reflect the love of the Father and the righteousness of Christ in every aspect of their lives.