| Geneva Study Bible Behold, {1} {a} what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be {b} called the sons of God: {2} therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1) He begins to declare this agreement of the Father and the Son, at the highest cause, that is, at that free love of God towards us, with which he so loves us, that also he adopts us to be his children. (a) What a gift of how great love. (b) That we should be the sons of God, and so, that all the world may see that we are so. (2) Before he declares this adoption, he says two things: the one, that this so great a dignity, is not to be esteemed according to the judgment of the flesh, because it is unknown to the world, for the world knows not God the Father himself. People's New Testament 3:1 Children Born of God SUMMARY OF I JOHN 3: The Marvellous Love of the Father. Sons of God Should Be Sinless. Christ Manifested to Remove Sin. Love the Proof That We Abide in God. The Spirit a Proof That We Abide in God. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. 1Jo 2:29 speaks of the saints as born of God. That thought suggests the wonderful love in allowing us to be born again and thus to become God's children. That we should be called the sons of God. What greater glory than to be acknowledged as sons of the King of Kings! Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. If the world does not know the Father it will not know his children. Wesley's Notes 3:1 That we should be called - That is, should be, the children of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not - They know not what to make of us. We are a mystery to them. Scofield Reference Notes Margin world kosmos = mankind. See Scofield Note: "Mt 4:8". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary CHAPTER 3 1Jo 3:1-24. Distinguishing Marks of the Children of God and the Children of the Devil. Brotherly Love the Essence of True Righteousness. 1. Behold-calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire. This verse is connected with the previous 1Jo 2:29, thus: All our doing of righteousness is a mere sign that God, of His matchless love, has adopted us as children; it does not save us, but is a proof that we are saved of His grace. what manner of-of what surpassing excellence, how gracious on His part, how precious to us. love . bestowed-He does not say that God hath given us some gift, but love itself and the fountain of all honors, the heart itself, and that not for our works or efforts, but of His grace [Luther]. that-"what manner of love"; resulting in, proved by, our being, &c. The immediate effect aimed at in the bestowal of this love is, "that we should be called children of God." should be called-should have received the privilege of such a glorious title (though seeming so imaginary to the world), along with the glorious reality. With God to call is to make really to be. Who so great as God? What nearer relationship than that of sons? The oldest manuscripts add, "And we ARE SO" really. therefore-"on this account," because "we are (really) so." us-the children, like the Father. it knew him not-namely, the Father. "If they who regard not God, hold thee in any account, feel alarmed about thy state" [Bengel]. Contrast 1Jo 5:1. The world's whole course is one great act of non-recognition of God. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 3:1,2 Little does the world know of the happiness of the real followers of Christ. Little does the world think that these poor, humble, despised ones, are favourites of God, and will dwell in heaven. Let the followers of Christ be content with hard fare here, since they are in a land of strangers, where their Lord was so badly treated before them. The sons of God must walk by faith, and live by hope. They may well wait in faith, hope, and earnest desire, for the revelation of the Lord Jesus. The sons of God will be known, and be made manifest by likeness to their Head. They shall be transformed into the same image, by their view of him. | 
