What does 1 John 3:13 mean?

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 1 John 3:13

Explanation

The verse 1 John 3:13, [Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.], provides a straightforward caution to early Christians not to be surprised when they experience hostility from the non-Christian world. The term “world” here generally denotes the societal systems and individuals who do not follow Christian beliefs or God’s teachings and often oppose or reject those who do. The use of “brethren” points to the intended audience, which is fellow believers. Thus, the verse remits a sense of solidarity among Christians, emphasizing that persecution is something to be expected rather than an unusual occurrence.

Historical Context

1 John is one of the letters attributed to John the Apostle and is thought to have been written at the end of the first century. The early Christian communities during this period were experiencing ostracism and persecution from both Jewish authorities and Roman society. This admonition would reinforce the connection between their experiences and Jesus’s own persecution, as well as fortify the community against the shock and pain of rejection by their surrounding society.

Theological Insights

From an evangelical perspective, this verse echoes Jesus’s teachings that His followers would endure persecution. Theologically, it can be interpreted as a validation of the Christian experience—that to follow Jesus is to walk a path contrary to worldly values, inviting opposition.

A liberation theology perspective might see this verse as emphasizing the struggle against oppressive social structures that resist the justice and love taught by Christianity.

A Calvinist interpretation might view this by emphasizing total depravity—the idea that the world is fundamentally sinful and therefore naturally hostile towards God’s truth and His followers.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a reminder that Christians should be prepared to face adversity without being taken aback or losing faith. It can encourage believers to remain steadfast in their convictions and to support one another when they face scorn or discrimination because of their beliefs. It also may guide Christians to differentiate between their personal identity as children of God and the negative views the world may project onto them.

Cross-References

• John 15:18: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
• John 17:14: “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
• Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• 2 Timothy 3:12: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse:

• “Marvel not” (μὴ θαυμάζετε): Do not be surprised or astonished.
• “Brethren” (ἀδελφοί): Literally means brothers, used in the New Testament to denote fellow believers or members of the Christian community.
• “World” (κόσμος): Can denote the earth, the people on it, or the system of practices and values opposed to God’s will.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other religious traditions, there is also an acknowledgment that those who live according to spiritual principles may face resistance from their broader cultural context. For example, in Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita discusses the idea of being in the world but not of the world, striking a similar chord about spiritual distinction. Furthermore, early Buddhist texts recount Siddhartha Gautama facing hostility from those who opposed his teachings.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly intersect with scientific inquiry, the concept of in-group/out-group dynamics, which could manifest as hostility towards a perceived out-group (in this case, Christians by the “world”), is a subject of study in psychology and sociology. These fields examine the causes and effects of group cohesion, prejudice, and discrimination.

commentaries

Commentators provide diverse interpretations of this verse. For example:

• Matthew Henry comments on the expectation that Christians, whose principles and practices are at odds with worldly desires, will naturally be despised by the world.
• John Wesley notes that the world’s hatred is not surprising, given that the spirit of the world is enmity against God.
• The Expositor’s Greek Testament observes that Christians’ acceptance of divine sonship necessarily puts them at odds with the world, which does not recognize this familial bond with God.