Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 John 3

1Jo 3:1 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.

what manner of love

1Jo 4:10; Eph 2:4-7.

that we should be called

Assurance. 1Jo 2:1-2; Jde 1:1, R.V. (Isa 32:17; Jde 1:1.)

sons [See also 1Jo 3:2]

children.

world

kosmos (Mat 4:8) = mankind.

1Jo 3:2 Beloved, 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.

when he shall appear

Christ (Second Advent). Jde 1:14-15. (Deu 30:3; Acts 1:9-11.)

we shall be like him

Rom 8:29; 1Co 15:49; Phl 3:21.

1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

practiseth sin practiseth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

sin

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

righteousness [See also 1Jo 3:10.]

"Righteousness" here, and in the passages having marginal references to this, means the righteous life which is the result of salvation through Christ. The righteous man under law became righteous by doing righteously; under grace he does righteously because he has been made righteous (Rom 3:22; Scofield Romans 10:3, note.)

1Jo 3:8 He 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.

devil

Satan. 1Jo 3:8, 10; Jde 1:9. (Gen 3:1; Rev 20:10.)

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested

Heb 2:14.

destroy

undo.

1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

born of God

1Jo 5:18; Jhn 3:6.

commit

practise.

1Jo 3:10 In 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.

doeth not

does not practise.

righteousness

See 1Jo 3:7, note. [above]

1Jo 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

this is the message

1Jo 1:5; 2:7.

we should love one another

1Jo 3:23; Jhn 13:34; 15:12; 1Jo 4:7, 21; 2Jo 1:5.

1Jo 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

world

kosmos = world-system. 1 John 4:3-5. (Jhn 7:7; Scofield Revelation 13:3-8, note.)

hate you

Jhn 15:18-20.

1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

eternal life

Life (eternal). 1Jo 3:14-15; 5:11-13, 16, 20. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)

1Jo 3:16 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.

perceive we

we know love.

because he laid down his life

Jhn 15:13; Gal 2:20.

we ought to lay down our lives

Rom 16:4.

1Jo 3:17 But 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?

how dwelleth the love of God in him

1Jo 4:20.

1Jo 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

let us not love in word…but in deed

Rom 12:9; Jas 2:15-16; 1Pe 1:22.

1Jo 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

God…knoweth all things

1Co 4:4.

1Jo 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

then have we confidence toward God

2Co 1:12; Heb 10:19.

1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

whatsoever we ask, we receive of him

Jhn 15:7.

1Jo 3:23 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.

this is his commandment

Law (of Christ). 1Jo 3:23-24; 1Jo 4:12. (Gal 6:2; 2Jo 1:5).

believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ

Jhn 6:29.

love one another

Jhn 13:34.

1Jo 3:24 And 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.

dwelleth in him

Jhn 14:21.

Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). 1Jo 4:2, 13. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)