1 John 3:1

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

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.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

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 Romans 8:15-17 notes; 2 Corinthians 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 1 Corinthians 2:8 note; Acts 3:17 note. Compare John 17:25. On the fact that Christians may be expected to be regarded and treated as their Saviour was, see the notes at John 15:18-20. Compare Matthew 10:24-25.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Little does the world know of the happiness of the real followers of Christ. Little does the world think that these poor, humble, despised ones, are favourites of God, and will dwell in heaven. Let the followers of Christ be content with hard fare here, since they are in a land of strangers, where their Lord was so badly treated before them. The sons of God must walk by faith, and live by hope. They may well wait in faith, hope, and earnest desire, for the revelation of the Lord Jesus. The sons of God will be known, and be made manifest by likeness to their Head. They shall be transformed into the same image, by their view of him.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Behold. In ch. 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. Gr. 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. Gr. agapÄ“ (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 agapÄ“ and the related verb agapaÅÂ, “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. Gr. didÅÂmi, “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 and 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. Gr. ginÅÂskÅÂ (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).

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 334

In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God. AA 334.1

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gave the believers instruction regarding the general principles underlying the support of God's work in the earth. Writing of his apostolic labors in their behalf, he inquired: AA 335.1

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Ellen G. White
Christ's Object Lessons, 191

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1. And Christ says, “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (John 17:18)—to “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ, ... for His body's sake, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24. Every soul whom Christ has rescued is called to work in His name for the saving of the lost. This work had been neglected in Israel. Is it not neglected today by those who profess to be Christ's followers? COL 191.1

How many of the wandering ones have you, reader, sought for and brought back to the fold? When you turn from those who seem unpromising and unattractive, do you realize that you are neglecting the souls for whom Christ is seeking? At the very time when you turn from them, they may be in the greatest need of your compassion. In every assembly for worship, there are souls longing for rest and peace. They may appear to be living careless lives, but they are not insensible to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Many among them might be won for Christ. COL 191.2

If the lost sheep is not brought back to the fold, it wanders until it perishes. And many souls go down to ruin for want of a hand stretched out to save. These erring ones may appear hard and reckless; but if they had received the same advantages that others have had, they might have revealed far more nobility of soul, and greater talent for usefulness. Angels pity these wandering ones. Angels weep, while human eyes are dry and hearts are closed to pity. COL 191.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 338

If there is anything in our world that should inspire enthusiasm, it is the cross of Calvary. “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. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Christ is to be accepted, believed on, and exalted. This is to be the theme of conversation—the preciousness of Christ.... CT 338.1

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Ellen G. White
Evangelism, 503

Calling for Decisions in Song—In my dreams last night I was speaking to a company of young men. I asked them to sing “Almost Persuaded.” Some present were deeply moved. I knew that they were almost persuaded, but that if they did not make decided efforts to return to Christ, the conviction of their sinfulness would leave them. You made some confessions, and I asked you, “Will you not from this time stand on the Lord's side?” If you will receive Jesus, He will receive you.—Letter 137, 1904. Ev 503.1

Experience With Song Service on the Cars—On Sabbath we had a song service. Brother Lawrence, who is a musician, led the singing. All the passengers in the car seemed to enjoy the service greatly, many of them joining in the singing. Ev 503.2

On Sunday we had another song service, after which Elder Corliss gave a short talk, taking as his text the words, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” The passengers listened attentively and seemed to enjoy what was said. Ev 503.3

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