1 John 3:1
King James Version
6 Jun 2026
“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.”
πατήρ
When Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He begins with the most radical word imaginable — Father. In the ancient world, approaching God as Father was almost unthinkable. Jesus opens the door and says: this is how you come. Not as a subject before a king. As a child before a Father who already knows what you need.
ἀγαπάω
Love
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ἀγαπάω
Not the love of emotion or feeling — this is the love of will and choice. God did not love the world because it was loveable. He loved it because that is who He is. Agapao is love that gives everything without expecting anything back.
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υἱός
Sons
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υἱός
Son, descendant, one sharing the nature of. Huios. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Sonship through faith is the highest status available to a human being.
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καλέω
we may be called —
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καλέω
To call, to summon, to invite. Kaleo. Many are called but few are chosen. The call of God is universal but the response is personal. The invitation is open. Will you come.
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θεός
of God
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θεός
God. Theos. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The ultimate reality. The source of all existence. Personal knowable and present.
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γινώσκω
it knew
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γινώσκω
To know, to understand, to perceive. Ginosko. This is eternal life that they may know You. The deepest knowing is relational not informational. God wants to be known.
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δίδωμι
has given
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δίδωμι
To give, to grant, to bestow. Didomi. God so loved the world that He gave. Giving is the language of love. The greatest gift is always the giver themselves.
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κόσμος
world
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κόσμος
The world, the ordered universe. God so loved the kosmos. He loves what He made and He is working to redeem every part of it.
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εἴδω
Behold
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εἴδω
To know, to see, to perceive. Paul said I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
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διά
Because of
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διά
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
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ποταπός
what
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ποταπός
interrogatively, whatever, i.e. of what possible sort
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εἰμί
we are!
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εἰμί
I exist (used only when emphatic)
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τέκνον
Children
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τέκνον
a child (as produced)
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