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(Photo by Ricardo Teixeira on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)

Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.

In Lesson 73, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:1.

Let’s read this part of the verse.

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us...

Let’s go over the definitions of the words.

Behold (3708. horaó) — is a command to stop, look, and marvel.

What manner of (4217. potapos) — means “of what kind” or “of what sort.” This phrase expresses astonishment, describing something so extraordinary or unfamiliar that it inspires wonder.

Love (26. agapé) — refers to divine love, a holy, selfless, and sacrificial affection that originates in God, reflects His nature, and is produced in believers by the Holy Spirit.

The (3588. ho, hé, to) Father (3962. patér) — means “The Heavenly Father.” This refers to God as the source of both physical life and eternal life.

Has given (1325. didómi) to us (1473. egó) — is a completed action by God, bestowing or granting something valuable to us.

John calls us to behold the Father’s love. He urges us to pause, look closely, and marvel.

The phrase “what manner of love” emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God’s love.

God’s love is divine, supernatural, and far beyond anything humans can naturally show.

This love has been fully given to us through Christ. It is a completed gift, yet it continues to impact us every moment of the day.

God’s love is unconditional and unearned. We have done nothing to deserve it, yet He chooses to love us as His children.

Be in awe that the Creator of the universe would extend such grace. Marvel at God’s generosity, who pours out His love freely, without expectation.

Truly understanding this love changes how we live, how we see ourselves, and how we relate to Him.

Let’s look at some verses that will help you understand and behold God’s divine love.

In Psalm 36:7 we learn that because of God’s love, we can take refuge under the shadow of His wings. This illustrates His protection, safety, and intimacy. God’s love provides a secure place where we are safe and deeply cared for.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!

In John 3:16 we learn that the Father gave His one and only Son because of His great love for the world. This is the clearest picture of His love in action, a love that sacrifices. God’s love is shown through the gift of Christ, offering eternal life to all who believe. This demonstrates that His love is active, generous, and reaches beyond anything we could earn or imagine.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only S