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1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1 Corinthians 8:3 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.
  • BSB But the one who loves God is known by God.
  • NKJV But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
  • NASB but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
  • NLT But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

But the one who loves God is truly known by Him. What ultimately counts is not our knowledge of God but His gracious knowing of us.

Overview

Paul redirects from human knowing to divine knowing. To love God is the mark of one whom God has savingly known—chosen, embraced, and claimed (cf. Gal 4:9). This grounds the believer's security not in the strength of their intellect but in God's prior gracious initiative. Love for God, not boasted knowledge, is the true evidence of belonging to Him.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 25

  • Rev 3:8–9I 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.
  • Exod 33:17And 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.
  • Nah 1:7The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
  • 2 Tim 2:19Nevertheless 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 Cor 2:9But 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.
  • Gal 4:9But 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?
  • Rev 2:19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
  • Jas 1:12Blessed 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.
  • Jer 1:5Before 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 10:14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
  • Rom 8:28–29And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
  • Ps 1:6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
  • Matt 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • 1 Jn 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.
  • Rev 2:9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
  • 1 Jn 5:2–3By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
  • 1 Pet 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
  • Exod 33:12And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
  • Ps 17:3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
  • Rev 3:15–16I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
  • John 21:17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
  • Jas 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
  • Rev 2:13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
  • Ps 139:1–2O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
  • Rom 11:2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

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Christ at the center

Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.

How 1 Corinthians 8:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.