Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: The first verse in this chapter is a continuation of the thought advanced in the last verse of chapter two. In that chapter, the apostle discusses the fact that one’s constant life of righteousness is an indication that he has been born of God; in this chapter, he proclaims the wonder of God’s willingness to recognize us as his children. His beginning exclamation is quite expressive of his delight in sonship. "Behold" is eidete and means "to see, to look with intensive earnest consideration" (Paden 18). John, in essence says, "Look, everyone, and be impressed with what is before us!"