Easter · Third Sunday of Easter · Year B
1 John 3:1-7
Children of God
April 11, 2027
Overview & Insights
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
This section of 1 John is unified by the idea of the children of God: who they are and how one can identify them by their lives. It is a passage dominated by ethics, particularly an ethical concern for righteousness and sin. It compares two “families”: the children of God and the children of the devil. In the background, as always, are the Elder’s opponents, the secessionists, whom he strongly contrasts to his own “dear children.”
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Commentary
Commentary on 1 John 3:1-7 Working Preacher
Working Preacher's Lutheran commentary on children of God, valid as the RCL Third Sunday epistle.
1 John 3: The Children of God Enduring Word · David Guzik
Guzik's evangelical exposition of the love that makes us God's children and the hope that purifies.
1 John 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the lavish love by which we are called children of God.
1 John 3:1-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on present identity as God's children and future likeness to Christ.
Background & Word Study
BibleProject: 1-3 John Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of the Johannine letters and their themes of love and righteousness.
1 John 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word study on tekna theou (children of God) and hagnizo (purify).
1 John, Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the setting and purpose of First John.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is our destiny in 1 John 3?
We are already God’s children, and though what we will be is not yet made known, “when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1–3), the hope All Saints celebrates.
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