1 John 3:1

KJV1611 – Modern English

Behold, what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know him.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

¶Ἴδετε, ποταπὴν ἀγάπην δέδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Πατὴρ, ἵνα τέκνα Θεοῦ κληθῶμεν: διὰ τοῦτο ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν.

Transliteration

Idete, what manner of agapēn has dedōken to us the Patēr, that tekna Theou we should be klēthōmen: for this reason the kosmos not ginōskei us, because not egnō him.

Grammar Details

• *Idete*: aorist imperative, 2nd plural - see/behold/look
• *agapēn*: accusative, feminine, singular - love
• *dedōken*: perfect active, 3rd singular - has given
• *Patēr*: nominative, masculine, singular - Father
• *tekna*: nominative, neuter, plural - children
• *Theou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of God
• *klēthōmen*: aorist passive subjunctive, 1st plural - we might be called
• *kosmos*: nominative, masculine, singular - world
• *ginōskei*: present active, 3rd singular - knows
• *egnō*: aorist active, 3rd singular - knew/has known

Word Meanings

• *Idete*: behold/see/look/consider
• *agapēn*: love/charity
• *Patēr*: Father/parent
• *tekna*: children/offspring
• *klēthōmen*: be called/named/designated
• *kosmos*: world/universe/order/arrangement
• *ginōskei*: knows/recognizes/understands
• *egnō*: knew/understood/recognized

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  See how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and this is what we are! The world does not know us because it did not know Him.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Behold{G1492} what manner of{G4217} love{G26} the Father{G3962} hath bestowed{G1325} upon us,{G2254} that{G2443} we should be called{G2564} children{G5043} of God;{G2316} and [such] we are. For this{G1223} cause{G5124} the world{G2889} knoweth{G1097} us{G2248} not,{G3756} because{G3754} it knew{G1097} him{G846} not.{G3756}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Behold{G1492}{(G5628)}, what manner{G4217} of love{G26} the Father{G3962} hath bestowed{G1325}{(G5758)} upon us{G2254}, that{G2443} we should be called{G2564}{(G5686)} the sons{G5043} of God{G2316}: therefore{G1223}{G5124} the world{G2889} knoweth{G1097}{(G5719)} us{G2248} not{G3756}, because{G3754} it knew{G1097}{(G5627)} him{G846} not{G3756}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Beholde what love the father hath shewed on vs that we shuld be called the sonnes of god. For this cause the worlde knoweth you not because it knoweth not him.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Beholde what loue the father hath shewed on vs, yt we shulde be called the childre of God. Therfore ye worlde knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Beholde, what loue the Father hath giuen to vs, that we should be called the sonnes of God: for this cause this world knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Beholde what loue the father hath shewed on vs, that we shoulde be called the sonnes of god: For this cause the worlde knoweth you not, because it knoweth not hym.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ 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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  See ye what love the Father hath given to us, that children of God we may be called; because of this the world doth not know us, because it did not know Him;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  See what great love the Father has given us in naming us the children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not see who we are, because it did not see who he was.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  (See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that we should be called God’s children– and indeed we are! For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know him.

Referenced Verses

• John 1:12 : 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the children of God, to those who believe in his name:
• Gal 3:26 : 26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
• Gal 4:5-6 : 5 To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father.'
• 2 Cor 6:18 : 18 And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
• John 3:16 : 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• John 17:25 : 25 O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.
• Rom 5:8 : 8 But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Ps 36:7-9 : 7 How excellent is your lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings. 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures. 9 For with you is the fountain of life: in your light shall we see light.
• 1 John 4:9-9 : 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
• Eph 3:18-19 : 18 May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
• John 15:18-19 : 18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
• John 16:3 : 3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.
• Rom 8:32 : 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
• Rom 9:25-26 : 25 As He says also in Hosea, I will call them My people, who were not My people; and her beloved, who was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there they shall be called the children of the living God.
• Rev 21:7 : 7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
• Eph 2:4-5 : 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
• Gal 3:29 : 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
• 2 Sam 7:19 : 19 And this was yet a small thing in your sight, O Lord GOD; but you have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
• Ps 31:19 : 19 Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you; which you have wrought for those who trust in you before the sons of men!
• Rom 8:14-17 : 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. 15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. 17 And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
• Rom 8:21 : 21 Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
• Ps 89:1-2 : 1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever; your faithfulness you shall establish in the very heavens.
• Jer 3:19 : 19 But I said, How shall I put you among the children and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? And I said, You shall call me, My Father; and shall not turn away from me.
• Hos 1:10 : 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there it shall be said to them, You are the sons of the living God.
• Col 3:3 : 3 For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.