1 John 3:1-3

1 John 3:1-3
Third Sunday of Advent – A Women’s Lectionary

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SeeA what loveB the Father has givenC us,

Notes on verse 1a

A “see” = horao. To see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience. Properly, to stare at and so implying clear discernment. This, by extension, would indicate attending to what was seen and learned. This is to see, often with a metaphorical sense. Can include inward spiritual seeing.
B “love” = agape. From agapao (to love, take pleasure in, esteem; to prefer). This is love, goodwill, benevolence. It is God’s divine love or human love that mirrors God’s love.
C “given” = didomi. To give, offer, place, bestow, deliver. This is give in a literal or figurative sense.

that we should be calledD childrenE of God;F and that is what we are.

Notes on verse 1b

D “called” = kaleo. Related to keleuo (to command, order, direct); from kelomai (to urge on). This is to call by name, invite, to name, bid, summon, call aloud.
E “children” = teknon. From tikto (to beget, bring forth, produce). This is a child, descendant, or inhabitant.
F “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.

The reasonG the worldH does not knowI us is that it did not know him. 

Notes on verse 1c

G “reason” = dia + houtos. Literally “because of this.”
H “world” = kosmos. Perhaps from the base of komizo (to carry, convey, recover); from komeo (to take care of). This is order, the world, the universe, including its inhabitants. Literally, this is something that is ordered so it can refer to all creation. It can also refer to decoration in the sense that something is better ordered and, thus, made more beautiful. This is where “cosmos” and “cosmetics” come from.
I “know” = ginosko. This is to know, recognize, realize, perceive, learn. It is knowledge gained through personal experience.

Beloved,J we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.K What we do knowL is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 

Notes on verse 2

J “beloved” = agapetos. Related to “love” in v1. From agape (see note B above). This is Beloved or very dear one. It is a title for the Messiah, but also for Christians. Properly, this is one who personally experiences God’s love.
K “revealed” = phaneroo. From phaneros (visible, apparent, clear, shining); from phos (light, a source of light, fire, or radiance; light with specific reference to what it reveals; luminousness whether natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative); from phao (to shine or make visible, especially with rays of light); from the same as phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is to make visible or clear, to make known. Properly, it is to illumine and so to make apparent or bring into open view.
L “know” = eido. This is to know, consider perceive, appreciate, behold, or remember. It means seeing with one’s eyes, but also figuratively, it means perceiving – seeing that becomes understanding. So, by implication, this means knowing or being aware.

And all who have this hopeM in him purifyN themselves, just as he is pure.O

Notes on verse 3

M “hope” = elpis. From elpo (to anticipate, welcome, expect; usually to anticipate positively). This is expectation, hope, trust, confidence faith. The expectation can be abstract or concrete.
N “purify” = hagnizo. 7x in NT. From hagnos (holy, sacred, pure ethically, ritually, or ceremonially; prepared for worship, chaste, unadulterated, pure to the core; undefiled by sin; figurative for innocent, modest, perfect). This is to purify, or sanctify. It is to clean in a ritual, literal, or ethical sense.
O “pure” = hagnos. Related to “purify” in v3. 8x in NT. See note N above.


Image credit: “Photos of the town of Grande Cache, Alberta, and area” by “Rural Health Professions Action Plan from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,” 2017.

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