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1 John

Chapter 3

Summary

John marvels at the "manner of love" the Father has bestowed on believers, that they should be called "the sons of God." While the world does not recognize them, believers look forward to the day they shall see Him as He is and be made like Him. John contrasts those who are born of God with the "children of the devil," noting that whoever is born of God "cannot sin" in a habitual sense. The core message is again focused on love: not loving "in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." The chapter concludes with the assurance that those who keep His commandments remain in Him, as evidenced by the Spirit He has given.

1

Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.

2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

3

And every person who has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.

4

Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.

6

Whoever remains in Him sins not: whoever sins has not seen Him, neither known Him.

7

Little children, let no one deceive you: he who does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

8

He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9

Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he who loves not his brother.

11

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13

Marvel not, my brothers, if the world hates you.

14

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who loves not his brother remains in death.

15

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

16

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 brothers.

17

But whoever has this world’s good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his heart from him, how dwells the love of God in him?

18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

20

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22

And whatever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

23

And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He commanded us.

24

And he who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He remains in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.