1 Corinthians 8:3

3 But if anyone loves God, 1he is known by God.[a]

1 Corinthians 8:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God
As they do, and show it, who love their brethren, and are careful not to grieve them; and make use of their superior knowledge, not for their destruction, but edification:

the same is known of him;
is taught by him, made to know more by him; such an one increases in spiritual knowledge, or he is highly approved of, esteemed, and beloved by God: he takes a special and particular notice of him, manifests his love to him, and will own and acknowledge him another day, when proud, haughty, overbearing, and hard hearted professors, will be rejected by him.

1 Corinthians 8:3 In-Context

1 Now concerningfood offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge"puffs up, but love builds up.
2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."
5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"--

Cross References 1

  • 1. Galatians 4:9; [Exodus 33:12, 17; Jeremiah 1:5; Nahum 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:19]

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.