Children of God born of God · love one another · confidence before him
See what kind of love the Father has given, that we should be called children of God — and so we are. Chapter 3 draws out what that birth means: a hope that purifies, a life no longer given over to lawlessness, and a love for the brothers that proves we have passed from death to life. It ends with assurance: when our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.
Overview of 1 John 3
Three units carry the chapter. 3:1–10 celebrates the Father's love in making us his children, sets the eschatological hope (“we shall be like him”) as a purifying power, and contrasts the children of God with the children of the devil by the practice of righteousness. 3:11–18 sets love against the way of Cain, makes love for the brothers the evidence of having passed from death to life, and defines love by Christ's self-giving. 3:19–24 reassures the condemning heart, ties confident prayer to obedience, and names the twofold commandment — believe and love — sealed by the Spirit he has given.
Passage Units
All 3 passages of 1 John 3 are available below.