“Becoming What We Already Are:1 John 3–4” Post 1 of 4

The Astonishing Love of God (1 John 3:1–3)

There are moments in Scripture where the author seems to pause, overwhelmed by the reality of God’s love. 1 John 3:1–3 is one of those moments. John begins not with a command but with an invitation to wonder:

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us…”

The Greek phrase ποταπὴν ἀγάπην (potapēn agapēn) carries a sense of foreignness—“what strange, otherworldly love.” John is grasping for language big enough to describe a love that doesn’t fit human categories.

1. Identity as Gift

John says we are called τέκνα θεοῦ (tekna theou)—children of God—and then adds emphatically, καὶ ἐσμέν (kai esmen): “and we are.” Identity is not a future reward; it is a present reality.

2. The World’s Misunderstanding

John notes that the world does not “know” us because it did not know Christ. Christian identity is inherently countercultural. It cannot be fully understood through the categories of status, achievement, or performance.

3. Hope That Purifies

John concludes that everyone who has this hope ἁγνίζει (hagnizei)—“purifies”—themselves. The present tense suggests an ongoing process. Hope is not passive; it shapes us.

References

1. Raymond E. Brown, The Epistles of John (Anchor Yale Bible Commentary).
2. Marianne Meye Thompson, 1–3 John (IVP New Testament Commentary).
3. BDAG Greek Lexicon, entries for ποταπός and ἁγνίζω.