1 John 3:1-3 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:2-3

The present and the future of the good. "Beloved, now are we children of God," etc. Here is— I. A GLORIOUS FACT OF PRESENT EXPERIENCE . "Beloved, now are we children of God." 1 . As sharing in his life . £ 2 . As morally resembling him 3 . As possessing the filial spirit . II. A GRACIOUS MYSTERY AS TO OUR FUTURE CONDITION . "And it is not yet made manifest what we shall be." Ebrard: "While we are already God's children, we are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:3

Such being our hope, based upon God's promises ἐπ ̓ αὐτῷ , of becoming like him, we must keep this prospect ever in view, and live up to it. Commentators differ as to whether αὐτῷ refers to the Father or Christ, and so also with regard to ἐκεῖνος . The best way is to take αὐτῷ as God, and ἐκεῖνος as Christ: this agrees with αὐτόν in 1 John 3:2 , with ἐκεῖνος in 1 John 3:5 , and with the common use of the two pronouns. It is doubtless possible,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:3

The hope: its purifying power. Connecting link: The apostle has just pointed out the blessedness which gathers round the new relationship of children of God, both as to its present privilege and as to its future glory. And if any one should suggest that it is very questionable doctrine, to assert merely that the sight of Christ by-and-by will make them all that they ought to be, the anticipative reply is ready. That sight will but complete the resemblance which is even now being aimed at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:1

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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God - We now in fact sustain this rank and dignity, and on that we may reflect with pleasure and gratitude. It is in itself an exalted honor, and may be contemplated as such, whatever may be true in regard to what is to come. In the dignity and the privileges which we now enjoy, we may find a grateful subject of reflection, and a cause of thankfulness, even if we should look to nothing beyond, or when we contemplate the fact by itself.And it doth not yet appear... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:3

And every man that hath this hope in him - This hope of seeing the Saviour, and of being made like him; that is, every true Christian. On the nature and influence of hope, see the notes at Romans 8:24-25.Purifieth himself - Makes himself holy. That is, under the influence of this hope of being like the Saviour, he puts forth those efforts in struggling against sin, and in overcoming his evil propensities, which are necessary to make him pure. The apostle would not deny that for the success of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:1

1 John 3:1. The apostle, in the last verse of the preceding chapter, having declared that every one who worketh righteousness is born of God, begins the chapter with an exclamation expressive of his high admiration of the love of God in calling them his children, although they are not acknowledged to be such by the men of the world, because carnal men have no just notion of the character of God. Behold what manner The word ποταπην , thus rendered, signifies both how great, and what... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:2

1 John 3:2. Beloved It is a most certain and joyful truth, that now are we, who believe on God’s Son with our heart unto righteousness; the children of God And, persevering in that faith, we shall be acknowledged as such before men and angels in the day of final accounts; a truth which draws after it a long train of glorious consequences. For the happy condition we shall be in hereafter exceeds all that we can now conceive; and it doth not yet appear Even to ourselves, though... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:3

1 John 3:3. And every man that hath this hope in him An expectation of seeing Christ as he is, built on a solid foundation, namely, the foundation of being a child and heir of God; purifieth himself By applying to, and confiding in, the purifying blood of Christ, with a penitent, believing heart; by earnestly praying for and receiving the purifying Spirit of God; by obeying the purifying word, (1 Peter 1:22,) and by exercising purifying faith in the truths and promises of the gospel, Acts... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:1-10

3:1-5:5 THE LIFE OF LOVERight behaviour for God’s children (3:1-10)John cannot find words to express his feelings when he considers the great love God has shown in making sinful people his children. They now think and act according to the nature of their heavenly Father, with the result that unbelievers, who think and act according to the world’s standards, cannot understand them (3:1). God’s children know little about the nature of life in the world to come, but they know at least that in some... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:1-10

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