1 John 3:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹ Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Common English Bible

¹ See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are! Because the world didn’t recognize him, it doesn’t recognize us.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we would be called, and would become, the sons of God. Because of this, the world does not know us, for it did not know him.

1 John 3:1 Cross References

John 1:12

But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah].

Galatians 3:26

For all of you are children of God through your faith in Christ Jesus [as God’s only Son].

2 Corinthians 6:18

The Lord Almighty [also] said [Hos. 1:10], “I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me.”

John 17:25

Righteous Father, the world does not know you but I know you, and these men know that you sent me.

John 3:16

For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life.

Revelation 21:7

The person who has victory [in the Christian life] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my child.

Romans 5:8

Since we are now made right with God by the blood of Christ [i.e., by His dying on the cross], how much more certain it is that we will be saved from God’s wrath [in the future] by Him!

Galatians 3:29

And if you belong to Christ, then you are [truly] Abraham’s seed [i.e., his spiritual descendants] and thereby [you will] inherit what was promised to him [i.e., God’s blessings].

Romans 8:32

God did not withhold His own Son [from dying], but offered Him up for all of us. [Since He did that], will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything [else] also?

John 16:3

And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me.

Colossians 3:3

For you died [with Christ, See 2:20], and your life is [now] hidden with Christ in [fellowship with] God.

Romans 8:21

that the created world itself would be freed from its slavery to corrupting influences [i.e., produced by the fall] and receive the glorious freedom which belongs to God’s children.

Luke 20:36

For they cannot die anymore either, because they are equal to the angels and are children of God, as well as children of the resurrection [i.e., people who are assured of being resurrected].

John 11:52

And not just [die] for the [Jewish] nation, but also that He would assemble together into one body the children of God who were scattered [throughout the world].

John 15:21

They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin.

Romans 8:19

For [all] creation [Note: “Creation” here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23] is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed [i.e., in their glorious state].

1 John 3:2

Dearly loved ones, we are God’s children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!

1 John 3:10

Here is how the children of God and the children of the devil can be recognized: All those who do not continue to do what is right do not belong to God. Also, the person who does not continue to love his brother [or sister does not belong to God].

1 John 4:17

Here is what a complete love will do for us: It will give us boldness in [facing] the judgment day, because the way Jesus acts [regarding love] is the way we should act [while] in this world.