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Selected Verse: 1 John 3:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Jo 3:1 |
Strong Concordance |
Behold [1492], what manner [4217] of love [26] the Father [3962] hath bestowed [1325] upon us [2254], that [2443] we should be called [2564] the sons [5043] of God [2316]: therefore [1223] [5124] the world [2889] knoweth [1097] us [2248] not [3756], because [3754] it knew [1097] him [846] not [3756]. |
| |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL. BROTHERLY LOVE THE ESSENCE OF TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS. (1Jo. 3:1-24)
Behold--calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire. This verse is connected with the previous Jo1 2:29, thus: All our doing of righteousness is a mere sign that God, of His matchless love, has adopted us as children; it does not save us, but is a proof that we are saved of His grace.
what manner of--of what surpassing excellence, how gracious on His part, how precious to us.
love . . . bestowed--He does not say that God hath given us some gift, but love itself and the fountain of all honors, the heart itself, and that not for our works or efforts, but of His grace [LUTHER].
that--"what manner of love"; resulting in, proved by, our being, &c. The immediate effect aimed at in the bestowal of this love is, "that we should be called children of God."
should be called--should have received the privilege of such a glorious title (though seeming so imaginary to the world), along with the glorious reality. With God to call is to make really to be. Who so great as God? What nearer relationship than that of sons? The oldest manuscripts add, "And we ARE SO" really.
therefore--"on this account," because "we are (really) so."
us--the children, like the Father.
it knew him not--namely, the Father. "If they who regard not God, hold thee in any account, feel alarmed about thy state" [BENGEL]. Contrast Jo1 5:1. The world's whole course is one great act of non-recognition of God. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Behold, what manner of love - What love, in "kind" and in "degree." In kind the most tender and the most ennobling, in adopting us into His family, and in permitting us to address Him as our Father; in "degree" the most exalted, since there is no higher love that can be shown than in adopting a poor and friendless orphan, and giving him a parent and a home. Even God could bestow upon us no more valuable token of affection than that we should be adopted into His family, and permitted to regard Him as our Father. When we remember how insignificant we are as creatures, and how ungrateful, rebellious, and vile we have been as sinners, we may well be amazed at the love which would adopt us into the holy family of God, so that we may be regarded and treated as the children of the Most High. A prince could manifest no higher love for a wandering, ragged, vicious orphan boy, found in the streets, than by adopting him into his own family, and admitting him to the same privileges and honors as his own sons; and yet this would be a trifle compared with the honor which God has bestowed on us.
The Father hath bestowed upon us - God, regarded as a Father, or as at the head of the universe considered as one family.
That we should be called the sons of God - That is, that we should "be" the sons of God - the word "called" being often used in the sense of "to be." On the nature and privileges of adoption, see the Rom 8:15-17 notes; Co2 6:18 note, and practical remarks on that chapter.
Therefore the world knoweth us not - Does not understand our principles; the reasons of our conduct; the sources of our comforts and joys. The people of the world regard us as fanatics or enthusiasts; as foolish in abandoning the pleasures and pursuits which they engage in; as renouncing certain happiness for that which is uncertain; as cherishing false and delusive hopes in regard to the future, and as practicing needless austerities, with nothing to compensate for the pleasures which are abandoned. There is nothing which the frivolous, the ambitious, and the selfish "less" understand than they do the elements which go into the Christian's character, and the nature and source of the Christian's joys.
Because it knew him not - It did not know the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, the world had no right views of the real character of the Lord Jesus when he was on the earth. They mistook him for an enthusiast or an impostor; and it is no wonder that, having wholly mistaken his character, they should mistake ours. On the fact that the world did not know him, see the Co1 2:8 note; Act 3:17 note. Compare Joh 17:25. On the fact that Christians may be expected to be regarded and treated as their Saviour was, see the notes at Joh 15:18-20. Compare Mat 10:24-25. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
world
Greek, "kosmos", means "mankind".
(See Scofield) - (Mat 4:8). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Behold (ἴδετε)
Lit., behold ye. The plural is peculiar. The usual form is the singular ἴδε or ἰδού. See Joh 1:29; Joh 11:3, etc.; Joh 4:35; Joh 19:26, Joh 19:27. Elsewhere the plural is used of something actually visible (Gal 6:11).
What manner of (ποταπὴν)
The word is of infrequent occurrence in the New Testament, but is found in all the Synoptists and in Pe2 3:11. Only here in John's writings. Originally it means from what country or race; then, of what sort or quality. It is used of the quality of both persons and things.
Hath bestowed (δέδωκεν)
Emphasizing the endowment of the receiver. Compare χαρίζομαι, from χάρις grace, favor, which emphasizes the goodwill of the giver. See Gal 3:18; Phi 2:9; Phi 1:29.
That (ἵνα)
See on Joh 15:13.
We should be called (κληθῶμεν)
Or, named. As Mat 2:23; Mat 21:13; Luk 1:13, Luk 1:31, etc. The verb is never used by John of the divine call. In Joh 10:3, for καλεῖ calleth, read φωνεῖ.
The sons (τέκνα)
Rev., better, children. See on Joh 1:12.
And such we are (καὶ ἐσμεν)
Lit., and we are. Added by Rev., according to the best texts. A parenthetical, reflective comment, characteristic of John. See on Jo1 1:2. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| That we should be called - That is, should be, the children of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not - They know not what to make of us. We are a mystery to them. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Behold, what manner of love - Whole volumes might be written upon this and the two following verses, without exhausting the extraordinary subject contained in them, viz., the love of God to man. The apostle himself, though evidently filled with God, and walking in the fullness of his light, does not attempt to describe it; he calls on the world and the Church to behold it, to look upon it, to contemplate it, and wonder at it.
What manner of love. - Ποταπην αγαπην· What great love, both as to quantity and quality; for these ideas are included in the original term. The length, the breadth, the depth, the height, he does not attempt to describe.
The Father hath bestowed - For we had neither claim nor merit that we should be called, that is, constituted or made, the sons of God, who were before children of the wicked one, animal, earthly, devilish; therefore, the love which brought us from such a depth of misery and degradation must appear the more extraordinary and impressive. After κληθωμεν, that we might be called, και εσμεν, and we are, is added by ABC, seventeen others, both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Slavonic, and Vulgate.
Therefore the world - The Jews, and all who know not God, and are seeking their portion in this life; knoweth us not - do not acknowledge, respect, love, or approve of us. In this sense the word γινωσκειν is here to be understood. The world Knew well enough that there were such persons; but they did not approve of them. We have often seen that this is a frequent use of the term know, both in Hebrew and Greek, in the Old Testament and also in the New.
Because it knew him not - The Jews did not acknowledge Jesus; they neither approved of him, his doctrine, nor his manner of life. |
1 Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] that [3754] Jesus [2424] is [2076] the Christ [5547] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316]: and [2532] every one [3956] that loveth [25] him that begat [1080] loveth [25] him also [2532] that is begotten [1080] of [1537] him [846].
29 If [1437] ye know [1492] that [3754] he is [2076] righteous [1342], ye know [1097] that [3754] every one [3956] that doeth [4160] righteousness [1343] is born [1080] of [1537] him [846].
24 The disciple [3101] is [2076] not [3756] above [5228] his master [1320], nor [3761] the servant [1401] above [5228] his [846] lord [2962].
25 It is enough [713] for the disciple [3101] that [2443] he be [1096] as [5613] his [846] master [1320], and [2532] the servant [1401] as [5613] his [846] lord [2962]. If [1487] they have called [2564] the master of the house [3617] Beelzebub [954], how much [4214] more [3123] shall they call them of his [846] household [3615]?
18 If [1487] the world [2889] hate [3404] you [5209], ye know [1097] that [3754] it hated [3404] me [1691] before [4412] it hated you [5216].
19 If [1487] ye were [2258] of [1537] the world [2889], the world [2889] would [302] love [5368] his own [2398]: but [1161] because [3754] ye are [2075] not [3756] of [1537] the world [2889], but [235] I [1473] have chosen [1586] you [5209] out of [1537] the world [2889], therefore [5124] [1223] the world [2889] hateth [3404] you [5209].
20 Remember [3421] the word [3056] that [3739] I [1473] said [2036] unto you [5213], The servant [1401] is [2076] not [3756] greater than [3187] his [846] lord [2962]. If [1487] they have persecuted [1377] me [1691], they will [1377] also [2532] persecute [1377] you [5209]; if [1487] they have kept [5083] my [3450] saying [3056], they will keep [5083] yours [5212] also [2532].
25 [2532] O righteous [1342] Father [3962], the world [2889] hath [1097] not [3756] known [1097] thee [4571]: but [1161] I [1473] have known [1097] thee [4571], and [2532] these [3778] have known [1097] that [3754] thou [4771] hast sent [649] me [3165].
17 And [2532] now [3568], brethren [80], I wot [1492] that [3754] through [2596] ignorance [52] ye did [4238] it, as [5618] did also [2532] your [5216] rulers [758].
8 Which [3739] none [3762] of the princes [758] of this [5127] world [165] knew [1097]: for [1487] [1063] had they known [1097] it, they [302] would [4717] not [3756] have crucified [4717] the Lord [2962] of glory [1391].
18 And [2532] will be [2071] [1519] a Father [3962] unto you [5213], and [2532] ye [5210] shall be [2071] my [3427] sons [5207] [1519] and [2532] daughters [2364], saith [3004] the Lord [2962] Almighty [3841].
15 For [1063] ye have [2983] not [3756] received [2983] the spirit [4151] of bondage [1397] again [3825] to [1519] fear [5401]; but [235] ye have received [2983] the Spirit [4151] of adoption [5206], whereby [1722] [3739] we cry [2896], Abba [5], Father [3962].
16 The Spirit [4151] itself [846] beareth witness [4828] with our [2257] spirit [4151], that [3754] we are [2070] the children [5043] of God [2316]:
17 And [1161] if [1487] children [5043], then [2532] heirs [2818]; heirs [2818] of God [3303] [2316], and [1161] joint-heirs [4789] with Christ [5547]; if so be [1512] that we suffer with [4841] him, that [2443] we may be [4888] also [2532] glorified together [4888].
8 Again [3825], the devil [1228] taketh [3880] him [846] up [3880] into [1519] an exceeding [3029] high [5308] mountain [3735], and [2532] sheweth [1166] him [846] all [3956] the kingdoms [932] of the world [2889], and [2532] the glory [1391] of them [846];
2 (For [2532] the life [2222] was manifested [5319], and [2532] we have seen [3708] it, and [2532] bear witness [3140], and [2532] shew [518] unto you [5213] that eternal [166] life [2222], which [3748] was [2258] with [4314] the Father [3962], and [2532] was manifested [5319] unto us [2254];)
12 But [1161] as many as [3745] received [2983] him [846], to them [846] gave he [1325] power [1849] to become [1096] the sons [5043] of God [2316], even to them that believe [4100] on [1519] his [846] name [3686]:
3 To him [5129] the porter [2377] openeth [455]; and [2532] the sheep [4263] hear [191] his [846] voice [5456]: and [2532] he calleth [2564] his own [2398] sheep [4263] by [2596] name [3686], and [2532] leadeth [1806] them [846] out [1806].
31 And [2532], behold [2400], thou shalt conceive [4815] in [1722] thy womb [1064], and [2532] bring forth [5088] a son [5207], and [2532] shalt call [2564] his [846] name [3686] JESUS [2424].
13 But [1161] the angel [32] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Fear [5399] not [3361], Zacharias [2197]: for [1360] thy [4675] prayer [1162] is heard [1522]; and [2532] thy [4675] wife [1135] Elisabeth [1665] shall bear [1080] thee [4671] a son [5207], and [2532] thou shalt call [2564] his [846] name [3686] John [2491].
13 And [2532] said [3004] unto them [846], It is written [1125], My [3450] house [3624] shall be called [2564] the house [3624] of prayer [4335]; but [1161] ye [5210] have made [4160] it [846] a den [4693] of thieves [3027].
23 And [2532] he came [2064] and dwelt [2730] in [1519] a city [4172] called [3004] Nazareth [3478]: that [3704] it might be fulfilled [4137] which [3588] was spoken [4483] by [1223] the prophets [4396], [3754] He shall be called [2564] a Nazarene [3480].
13 Greater [3187] love [26] hath [2192] no man [3762] than [3187] this [5026], that [2443] a man [5100] lay down [5087] his [846] life [5590] for [5228] his [846] friends [5384].
29 For [3754] unto you [5213] it is given [5483] in the behalf [5228] of Christ [5547], not [3756] only [3440] to believe [4100] on [1519] him [846], but [235] also [2532] to suffer [3958] for [5228] his sake [846] [5228];
9 Wherefore [1352] God [2316] also [2532] hath highly exalted [5251] him [846], and [2532] given [5483] him [846] a name [3686] which [3588] is above [5228] every [3956] name [3686]:
18 For [1063] if [1487] the inheritance [2817] be of [1537] the law [3551], it is no more [3765] of [1537] promise [1860]: but [1161] God [2316] gave [5483] it to Abraham [11] by [1223] promise [1860].
11 Seeing then [3767] that all [3956] these things [5130] shall be dissolved [3089], what manner [4217] of persons ought [1163] ye [5209] to be [5225] in [1722] all holy [40] conversation [391] and [2532] godliness [2150],
11 Ye see [1492] how large [4080] a letter [1121] I have written [1125] unto you [5213] with mine own [1699] hand [5495].
27 Then [1534] saith he [3004] to the disciple [3101], Behold [2400] thy [4675] mother [3384]! And [2532] from [575] that [1565] hour [5610] that disciple [3101] took [2983] her [846] unto [1519] his own [2398] home.
26 When Jesus [2424] therefore [3767] saw [1492] his mother [3384], and [2532] the disciple [3101] standing by [3936], whom [3739] he loved [25], he saith [3004] unto his [846] mother [3384], Woman [1135], behold [2400] thy [4675] son [5207]!
35 Say [3004] not [3756] ye [5210], There [3754] are [2076] yet [2089] four months [5072], and [2532] then cometh [2064] harvest [2326]? behold [2400], I say [3004] unto you [5213], Lift up [1869] your [5216] eyes [3788], and [2532] look on [2300] the fields [5561]; for [3754] they are [1526] white [3022] already [2235] to [4314] harvest [2326].
3 Therefore [3767] his sisters [79] sent [649] unto [4314] him [846], saying [3004], Lord [2962], behold [2396], he whom [3739] thou lovest [5368] is sick [770].
29 The next day [1887] John [2491] seeth [991] Jesus [2424] coming [2064] unto [4314] him [846], and [2532] saith [3004], Behold [2396] the Lamb [286] of God [2316], which [3588] taketh away [142] the sin [266] of the world [2889].