1 John3

The chapter opens by extolling God's profound love in making believers His children, instilling a hope of future likeness to Christ that purifies. It sharply contrasts those who practice righteousness as children of God with those who commit sin as children of the devil, emphasizing that Christ came to destroy sin. A central theme is the commandment to love one another, demonstrating true faith through deeds rather than mere words, and assuring believers of God's presence through obedience.
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The Love of God and Our Future Hope

1
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ​
2
Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. ​
3
And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ​

Righteousness vs. Sin

4
Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ​
5
And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin.
6
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him. ​
7
My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous:
8
he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ​
9
Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. ​
10
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ​

The Commandment to Love One Another

11
For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: ​
12
not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. ​
13
Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you.
14
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. ​
15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. ​
16
Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ​
17
But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? ​
18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth. ​

Assurance, Confidence, and Obedience

19
Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him: ​
20
because if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. ​
21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God;
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and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. ​
23
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. ​
24
And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. ​

Study Notes for 1 John 3

Verse 1

John emphasizes the astounding nature of God’s love, resulting in our adoption as His children. The world’s ignorance and rejection of believers is expected, as it first rejected Christ (knew him not).

Verse 2

This verse highlights the tension between the present reality (we are sons of God) and the future glory. The promise that 'we shall be like him' refers to the full spiritual and physical transformation at Christ’s return (cf. Phil 3:21).

Verse 3

The hope of future glory (v. 2) serves as a powerful motivation for present sanctification. True hope in Christ leads to active self-purification.

Verse 4

John defines sin as 'transgression of the law' (lawlessness, anomia). Sin is thus a willful rebellion against God’s established moral order and rule.

Verse 6

The Greek verb tense used here denotes continuous action. 'Sinneth not' means one does not habitually or continuously live a life characterized by sin. Abiding in Christ makes a lifestyle of sin fundamentally incompatible with the believer’s nature.

Verse 8

Those who habitually practice sin demonstrate that they belong to the devil’s domain. The purpose of Christ’s manifestation was precisely to destroy the spiritual and moral effects of Satan’s works.

Verse 9

The 'seed' of God refers to the eternal, life-giving principle implanted by the Holy Spirit through regeneration. Because of this spiritual nature, the true Christian cannot live in a continuous state of willful sin.

Verse 10

This verse provides the practical test for distinguishing God's children: the consistent practice of righteousness and the active love for fellow believers.

Verse 11

This introduces the second major test of genuine faith: love. This message was a core teaching ('from the beginning') of the Christian faith.

Verse 12

Cain is presented as the archetypal example of the unrighteous, whose hatred and murder of his righteous brother (Abel) stemmed from his own evil works.

Verse 14

Love for fellow believers is not the cause of salvation, but the primary evidence that one has experienced the spiritual shift 'from death unto life' (regeneration).

Verse 15

John equates hatred with murder, aligning with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 5:21-22). Unresolved hatred is incompatible with the eternal life that indwells believers.

Verse 16

Christ's sacrificial act sets the ultimate standard for Christian love. If He gave His life for us, we must be willing to make significant sacrifices, even potentially our own lives, for our brethren.

Verse 17

John moves from sacrificial love to practical, material love. To have the means to help a needy brother but refuse compassion indicates a lack of genuine divine love residing within the heart.

Verse 18

True love must be demonstrated actively in concrete actions ('in deed and in truth'), not merely expressed through eloquent words or empty promises.

Verse 19

The evidence of active love (v. 18) confirms that we 'are of the truth,' providing a foundation for assurance and peace in our hearts before God.

Verse 20

If our conscience condemns us, we find assurance in the fact that God’s knowledge is perfect and His grace surpasses our self-condemnation, especially when we are seeking to walk in truth.

Verse 22

Effective prayer is tied to obedience. We receive what we ask because our lives are characterized by keeping His commandments and seeking to please Him.

Verse 23

John simplifies the Christian life into two inseparable requirements: faith in Jesus Christ and love for one another. These two duties summarize the essence of God’s will.

Verse 24

Obedience confirms our communion with God (dwelleth in him). The ultimate confirmation of this mutual indwelling is the internal witness of the Holy Spirit, which God has given us.

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