1 Corinthians 8 · Verse 3

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1 Corinthians 8:3, King James Version

1 Corinthians 8:3 in other translations

BSBBut the one who loves God is known by God.
WEBBut anyone who loves God is known by him.
ASVbut if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
YLTand if any one doth love God, this one hath been known by Him.
DARBYBut if any one love God, he is known of him):
BBEBut if anyone has love for God, God has knowledge of him.
WebsterBut if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.

What does 1 Corinthians 8:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. love God--the source of love to our neighbor (1Jo 4:11, 12, 20; 5:2). the same--literally, "this man"; he who loves, not he who "thinks that he knows," not having "charity" or love (1Co 8:1, 2). is known of him--is known with the knowledge of approval and is acknowledged by God as His (Psa 1:6; Ga 4:9; 2Ti 2:19). Contrast, "I never knew you" (Mt 7:23). To love God is to know God; and he who thus knows God has been first known by God (compare 1Co 13:12; 1Pe 1:2).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. But if any man love God. If any man is truly attached to God; if he seeks to serve him, and to promote his glory. The sense seems to be this: "There is no true and real knowledge which is not connected with love to God. This will prompt a man also to love his brethren, and will lead him to promote their happiness. A man's course, therefore, is not to be regulated by mere knowledge, but the grand principle is love to God and love to man. Love edifies; love promotes happiness; love will prompt to what is right; and love will secure the approbation of God." Thus explained, this difficult verse accords with the whole scope of the parenthesis, which is to show that a man should not be guided in his intercourse with others by mere knowledge, however great that may be; but that a safer and better principle was love, charity, (αγαπη) whether exercised towards God or man. Under the guidance of this, man would be in little danger of error. Under the direction of mere knowledge, he would never be sure of a safe guide. See 1Cor 13.

The same is known of him. The words "is known," (εγνωσται,) I suppose to be taken here in the sense of "is approved by God; is loved by him; meets with his favour," etc. In this sense the word known is often used in the Scriptures. Mt 7:23. The sense is, "If any man acts under the influence of sacred charity, or love to God, and consequent love to man, he will meet with the approbation of God. He will seek his glory, and the good of his brethren; he will be likely to do right; and God will approve of his intentions and desires, and will regard him as his child. Little distinguished, therefore, as he may be for human knowledge, for that science which puffs up with vain self-confidence, yet he will have a more truly elevated rank, and will meet with the approbation and praise of God. This is of more value than mere knowledge, and this love is a far safer guide than any mere intellectual attainments. So the world would have found it to be if they had acted on it; and so Christians would always find it.

(a) "known of him" Nah 1:7, 2Ti 2:19

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 But if any man love God - In that way which the commandment requires, which will necessarily beget love to his neighbor, the same is known of him - is approved of God, and acknowledged as his genuine follower.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6 →

1 Corinthians 8:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰeiIfG1487
δέdehoweverG1161
τιςtisanyoneG5100
ἀγαπᾷagapalovesG25
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν,theonGod,G2316
οὗτοςhoutosheG3778
ἔγνωσταιegnōstaihas knownG1097
ὑπ᾽hup᾽byG5259
αὐτοῦ.¶autouHim.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 8:3

  • Revelation 3:8-9

    I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Exodus 33:17

    And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

  • Nahum 1:7

    The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

  • 2 Timothy 2:19

    Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:9

    But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

  • Galatians 4:9

    But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

  • Revelation 2:19

    I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

  • James 1:12

    Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

  • Jeremiah 1:5

    Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

  • John 10:14

    I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

  • Romans 8:28-29

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

  • Psalms 1:6

    For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
love.
2:9; Ro 8:28; Jas 1:12; 2:5; 1Pe 1:8; 1Jo 4:19; 5:2,3
is.
Ex 33:12,17; Ps 1:6; 17:3; 139:1,2; Na 1:7; Mt 7:23; Joh 10:14
Joh 21:17; Ro 8:29; 11:2; Ga 4:9; 2Ti 2:19; Re 2:9,13,19
Re 3:8,9,15,16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 8:2

    And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:3

    But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:4

    As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas si alguno ama á Dios, el tal es conocido de él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais si quelqu’un aime Dieu, celui-là est connu de lui).
German
Elberfelder 1871		wenn aber jemand Gott liebt, der ist von ihm erkannt; -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si quis autem diligit Deum, hic cognitus est ab eo.