1 John 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God," and "when he shall appear, we shall be like him." The Son of God "was manifested to take away our sins" and "to destroy the works of the devil," so "whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin," and the children of God are known by doing righteousness and loving their brother. We know love because "he laid down his life for us," so "let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:11 John 3:21 John 3:51 John 3:81 John 3:91 John 3:101 John 3:161 John 3:18
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The writer speaks to his "little children" and points to Cain, "who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother." 1 John 3:71 John 3:121 John 3:181 John overview
Where
The letter does not name its writer or its place. Early tradition places John at Ephesus in his later years and links the letter with the churches of the province of Asia. 1 John overview
When
Traditionally about AD 85-95, late in the apostle John's life. Many scholars date it about AD 90-110 and credit it to a leader in the circle linked with John's Gospel; others hold that John wrote it. 1 John overview
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended, "every one that doeth righteousness is born of him"; this chapter explains what being born of God means. Chapter 4 begins, "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." 1 John 2:291 John 3:91 John 4:1
Key verses
- Verse 1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." John 1:12 says he gave "power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." 1 John 3:11 John 3:2John 1:12
- Verse 8
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8
- Verse 16
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1 John 3:161 John 3:17
Takeaway
As children of God, turn from sin and love one another, not just in words but in practical deeds. 1 John 3:11 John 3:91 John 3:171 John 3:18
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-30.
Children of God
1Behold, 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. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Born of God, not of the devil
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Love one another in deed
11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Confidence toward God
19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23And 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. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.