1 John 3
1 John 3 focuses on the great love of God shown through Jesus Christ and how believers should live as children of God. John explains that God’s love changes a person’s life, leading them to live righteously, turn away from sin, and love others. This chapter contrasts the children of God with the world and the children of the devil. It also gives believers assurance of salvation by showing that true faith is seen not only in words, but in love, obedience, and action.
1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
This passage shows the amazing love of God the Father, who calls believers His children. This is a great privilege, but the world does not understand it because the world does not truly know God. Believers are already children of God now, but their full transformation has not yet been fully revealed. When Christ returns, believers will be made like Him, because they will see Him as He truly is. This hope gives believers a reason to live pure and holy lives now. If someone truly hopes for Christ’s return, they will want to be ready for Him and reflect His character. This passage begins with the Father’s love in making us His children, then points forward to Christ’s return, when God’s children will be fully changed into His likeness.
1 John 3:4-8 (NKJV)
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
John explains that sin is lawlessness, meaning sin is rebellion against God’s will and character. Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in Him. Therefore, a person who truly abides in Christ will not continue living in sin as a way of life. This does not mean a believer never makes a mistake, but it means true fellowship with Christ leads to a changed life. John warns believers not to be deceived: the person who practices righteousness shows that he belongs to the righteous One, while the person who continues in sin is following the way of the devil. This passage also shows the great conflict between Christ and Satan. Jesus, the Son of God, came to destroy the works of the devil, break the power of sin, and free His people from Satan’s influence. True faith produces obedience and a life that reflects God’s character, not rebellion.
1 John 3:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
John teaches that those who are truly born of God do not continue living in sin, because God’s seed remains in them. This means God’s life, Spirit, and nature are working in them, changing their hearts and minds. It does not mean believers are incapable of mistakes or weakness, but it means they cannot comfortably remain in habitual sin and rebellion while claiming to belong to God. John gives a clear difference between the children of God and the children of the devil. Those who practice righteousness and love their brothers show that they belong to God, while those who refuse righteousness and do not love others show that they are not reflecting God’s character. True conversion produces a life of obedience, righteousness, and love.
1 John 3:11-15 (NKJV)
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 the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.
13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
John reminds believers that the message from the beginning is that we should love one another. He uses Cain as a warning example. Cain murdered Abel because Cain’s works were evil, while Abel’s works were righteous. This shows that hatred often comes from jealousy, pride, and resistance against righteousness. John also tells believers not to be surprised if the world hates them, because the world often rejects those who live for God. Love for the brethren is evidence that we have passed from death to life, meaning it shows that God’s life is in us. But a person who hates his brother remains in spiritual death. John says hatred is like murder in the heart, because it carries the same spirit of destruction. This passage teaches that genuine Christian love is a mark of true believers, while hatred belongs to darkness and is not compatible with eternal life.
1 John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
True love is shown most clearly in Jesus, who laid down His life for us. His sacrifice teaches us what real love looks like. Believers are also called to have this same spirit of sacrificial love toward one another. This does not only mean being willing to die for others, but also being willing to give, help, serve, and care when we see a brother or sister in need. If someone has the ability to help but closes his heart, John asks how the love of God can truly be living in him. Love must not be only words, feelings, or religious talk. True love is shown in deed and in truth, meaning through real actions that come from a sincere heart.
1 John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
This passage gives comfort and assurance to believers. When we live in truth, love, and obedience, it confirms that we belong to God and helps assure our hearts before Him. Sometimes our hearts may still condemn us because of guilt, weakness, fear, or doubt. But John reminds us that God is greater than our heart and knows all things. He sees more clearly than we do. He knows our sincerity, our faith, our struggles, and His own work in our lives. Our assurance should not rest only on our feelings, because feelings can change. It should rest on God’s truth, mercy, and love. When our hearts are at peace before Him, we can come to God with confidence, not fear, knowing that we are walking with Him by faith.
1 John 3:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And whatever we ask we receive from 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 gave us commandment.
24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
John shows the connection between prayer, obedience, faith, love, and God’s presence in the believer’s life. He says that believers receive from God because they keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. Then he summarizes God’s commandment in a simple way: believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another. This does not remove the other commandments, but shows the foundation of true obedience. When a person truly believes in Christ and lives in love, they will naturally desire to live according to God’s will. Faith and love are not separate from obedience; they are the heart of obedience. John then says that the person who keeps God’s commandments abides in God, and God abides in him. We know this abiding relationship is real because of the Spirit God has given us. True obedience is not merely following outward rules, but living a transformed life rooted in faith, love, and fellowship with God.