1Jo 3 | MHM | STEP | Adoption. In this section, John reflects on the incredible love of God that makes believers His children. He marvels at the privilege of being called sons and daughters of God and explains how this relationship sets believers apart from the world. John also looks forward to the future glory of God’s children and urges them to live holy lives in response to this hope. v. 1 : John exclaims, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (1 John 3:1 ). He is amazed at God’s love, which adopts believers as His children. By nature, people are sinners and deserve punishment, but God’s grace makes them His sons and daughters. This is a great honor, even though the world does not recognize it. The world does not understand the dignity and blessings of being a child of God because it did not know Jesus when He came (1 Corinthians 2:8 ).

‏ 1 John 3

Adoption.

In this section, John reflects on the incredible love of God that makes believers His children. He marvels at the privilege of being called sons and daughters of God and explains how this relationship sets believers apart from the world. John also looks forward to the future glory of God’s children and urges them to live holy lives in response to this hope.

v. 1: John exclaims, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (1 John 3:1 ^a). He is amazed at God’s love, which adopts believers as His children. By nature, people are sinners and deserve punishment, but God’s grace makes them His sons and daughters. This is a great honor, even though the world does not recognize it. The world does not understand the dignity and blessings of being a child of God because it did not know Jesus when He came (1 Corinthians 2:8 ^b).

v. 2: John continues, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be (1 John 3:2 ^c). Believers are already God’s children, but their full glory has not yet been revealed. This will happen when Jesus returns. John assures them, When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. When Christ comes again, believers will be transformed to be like Him in glory. Their bodies will be made like His glorious body, and they will share in His honor and joy (Colossians 3:4; Romans 8:19 ^d).

v. 3: John concludes, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3 ^e). The hope of being like Christ motivates believers to live holy lives. They know that Jesus is pure and that heaven is a place of holiness. Therefore, they strive to grow in purity and avoid sin. This hope leads them to pursue righteousness and prepare for the day when they will be with Christ forever.

The Mark of God's Children.

In this section, John gives strong reasons why believers should avoid sin. He explains that sin is completely opposite to the nature of God and the purpose of Jesus’ coming. John teaches that a true child of God cannot continue living in sin, and he shows how to tell the difference between those who belong to God and those who do not.

v. 4: John starts by defining sin: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4 ^f). Sin means breaking God’s law. It is going against God’s will and rejecting His authority. This is serious, because God’s law is good and shows us the way to happiness and peace.

v. 5: John continues, And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin (1 John 3:5 ^g). Jesus came to earth to remove our sins—both their guilt and their power. He never sinned Himself. His perfect life and sacrifice make it possible for us to be free from sin’s control.

v. 6: John teaches, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not (1 John 3:6 ^h). If we stay close to Jesus, we do not continue practicing sin. People who keep on sinning show that they do not really know Jesus or have a true relationship with Him. Living in Christ means we want to obey Him and turn away from sin (1 John 3:22 ⁱ).

v. 7: John warns, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous (1 John 3:7 ^j). Some people may try to say that you don’t need to live a holy life, but don’t believe them. True religion is shown by living rightly. If you practice righteousness, you are truly right with God and are following Christ’s example (Matthew 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:8 ^k).

v. 8: John explains, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8 ^l). People who live in sin show that they belong to the devil, who has always opposed God. But Jesus came to destroy the devil’s power and set people free from sin.

v. 9: John says, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God . Someone who is born again by God’s Spirit will not keep on living in sin. God’s word and new nature remain in them. They may still make mistakes, but they do not continue in a sinful lifestyle (1 Peter 1:23; Genesis 39:9 ^m).

v. 10: John finishes, 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 (1 John 3:10 ⁿ). The difference between God’s children and the devil’s children is clear. God’s children do what is right and love other Christians. Those who do not live this way show they do not belong to God.

Brotherly Love.

This section teaches us about the importance of loving each other as Christians. The apostle John explains that loving our brothers and sisters is a basic part of following Jesus. He also warns us against hatred and uses the story of Cain and Abel to show how dangerous hate can be. Finally, John reminds us that the world may hate those who do good, but we should not be surprised by this.

v. 11: John reminds us of the main message that Christians have heard from the very beginning: we should love one another (1 John 3:11 ^o). Loving Jesus means we must also love everyone he loves—especially other believers.

v. 12: John warns us not to be like Cain. Cain was influenced by the wicked one and showed hatred instead of love. Cain’s anger grew so strong that he murdered his own brother. He did this because he was jealous that God accepted Abel’s righteous actions, but rejected Cain’s evil deeds (1 John 3:12 ^p; see also Genesis 4:1–8). Hatred and jealousy can lead to terrible actions if we let them grow.

v. 13: John tells us not to be surprised if the world hates us: Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you . The world still has the same evil nature as Cain. Those who do not follow God often dislike or even attack those who try to do what is right.

Brotherly Love.

In this section, John explains why loving other Christians is so important. He shows that love is a sign that we belong to God, and that hate shows the opposite. John uses strong examples and arguments to make us understand how much we should care for each other. He also explains that true Christian love is not just about words, but about real actions and sacrifice, following the example of Jesus Christ.

v. 14: John teaches that loving other believers is proof that we have passed from death to life. Without Jesus, we are separated from God and face spiritual death. But through faith in Jesus, we have eternal life (John 3:36 ^q). If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it shows we really belong to God. This love should not just be for people who are like us, but for all people, because Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Genesis 9:6; John 3:16 ^r).

v. 15: On the other hand, if someone does not love others, it means they are still under spiritual death. If you hate your brother or sister, it is as if you are a murderer, because hatred leads to destruction and suffering. John says, Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15 ^s). If a person’s heart is full of hate, there is no real life from God inside them (Romans 8:6 ^t).

v. 16: John reminds us of the example Jesus set for us. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16 ^u). Jesus, who is God’s Son, died for us. This amazing love should encourage us to love others in the same way—being willing to sacrifice for them.

v. 17: John explains that our love must be practical. If you have something that your brother or sister needs, and you ignore their need, your love for God is not real. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:17 ^v). True Christian love means helping others when you are able to do so. If we love God, we will show it by caring for his people.

v. 18: John warns that love should not just be words or talk. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18 ^w). Real love must be shown through honest actions, not just empty promises or nice words.

v. 19: John finishes by saying that this kind of love proves we are truly following Jesus. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him . When we love others, we can be confident that our faith is real, and we can have peace when we stand before God.

The Testimony of Conscience.

In this section, John talks about the role of our conscience, or our inner sense of right and wrong, in our relationship with God. He explains that our conscience can either accuse us or give us confidence. But above all, God is the final judge, and he knows everything about us. John also shows that when we have a clear conscience and obey God, we can be confident that God hears our prayers.

v. 20: John says, If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things (1 John 3:20 ^x). Our conscience is like a judge inside us. It helps us see if we are doing right or wrong. But even if our conscience makes us feel guilty, God knows even more about us than we do. He is the true Judge, and his knowledge is perfect (Proverbs 20:27; 1 Corinthians 4:4 ^y). Sometimes our conscience can make mistakes, but God’s judgment is always right.

v. 21: John continues, Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God (1 John 3:21 ^z). If our conscience is clear, we can come to God with confidence. We can trust that he accepts us and will listen to us. But we should remember that our conscience must be well-informed and honest, not led by mistakes or wrong feelings.

v. 22: John explains the blessing of having a good conscience: And whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 John 3:22 ^aa). When we obey God and try to please him, he hears our prayers. God promises to answer the prayers of those who follow him and do what is right (Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:9 ^ab). If we want God to listen to us, we must live in a way that pleases him.

God's Commandments.

In this section, John explains what it really means to obey God's commandments. He says that these commandments can be summed up in two main ideas: believing in Jesus Christ and loving one another. By following these, we enjoy a close relationship with God, and God’s Spirit lives in us and helps us know we truly belong to him.

v. 23: John tells us the main command from God: That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment (1 John 3:23 ^ac). To believe in Jesus means to trust who he is, accept him as God's Son and our Savior, and rely on him for salvation (John 6:40; Psalm 9:10 ^ad; 2 Timothy 1:12 ^ae). This faith is needed if we want our prayers to be heard by God (Ephesians 1:6 ^af). The second part of God’s command is to love one another, just as Jesus taught us. This includes forgiving those who hurt us (Matthew 6:14 ^ag) and making peace with people we have argued with (Matthew 5:23-24 ^ah). God wants us to have good will towards everyone, especially other believers.

v. 24: John explains the blessing of obeying these commands: He that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him (1 John 3:24 ^ai). When we trust Jesus and love each other, we live in God and God lives in us. We have a strong connection with him, and his Spirit lives in us. We know God is with us because his Spirit gives us faith and love and changes us from the inside.