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1 JOHN CHAPTER 3
1Jo_3:1,2 It is a mark of God’s singular love toward us, that
we are now called his sons, and designed for further
happiness hereafter,
1Jo_3:3-10 and therefore we must obediently keep his commandments,
1Jo_3:11-24 and love one another with true brotherly kindness and
actual beneficence.
So late mention having been made of that great thing, in the close of the foregoing chapter, being born of God, the holy apostle is here in a transport, in the contemplation of the glorious consequent privilege, to be
called his sons; and of that admirable love, from whence the whole hath proceeded.
What manner; potaphn or, how great!
Called, here, (as often referring to God as the author), signifies to be made, or to be, Mat_5:9,45 Joh 1:12 Rom_4:17. He confers not the name without the thing; the new, even a Divine nature, 2Pe_1:4, in regeneration; the real advantages and dignity of the relation by adoption; and all of mere (and the greatest) kindness and good-will, Tit_3:5-7. Hence he intimates, it ought not to be counted grievous, that
the world knoweth us not, i.e. doth not own or acknowledge us for its own, is not kind to us, yea, hates and persecutes us; knowing often (after the Hebrew phrase) signifying affection, 1Co_8:3 2Ti_2:19; and accordingly, not knowing, disaffection, and the consequent effects, Mat_7:23. Nor should it be thought strange,
because it knew him not: the Father, and the whole family, are to it an invisum genus, hated alike.