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1 John 4:7-9

A Deeper Understanding of Love   

1 John 4:7-9

7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  

8. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  

9. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  

10. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  

11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  

12. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.  




Context  

The first letter of John was written during a time of intense persecution against Christians. The recipients of this letter were struggling with false teachings that denied the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. These false teachers rejected the incarnation of Jesus, sowing doubt and confusion among believers. John, as a firsthand witness of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection, writes to reaffirm the core truths of Christianity. He emphasizes that true Christians are characterized by sound doctrine, obedience to God, and love for one another. Without these, one cannot claim to be a genuine follower of Christ.  


John’s letter is deeply pastoral, addressing the need for believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to reflect the love of God in their lives. Having personally experienced the love of God through Jesus, John encourages his readers—likely to the churches in Asia Minor—to love one another with the same selfless, sacrificial love that God has shown them. This love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in ways that honor God and benefit others.  


Love is From God  

In verses 7-8, John writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This exhortation suggests that the church was struggling with divisions and a lack of love among its members. John reminds them that love is not merely a human virtue but a divine attribute. Love originates from God Himself, and those who truly know God will naturally express His love in their relationships.  


The Greek word agapaó, used here for “love,” refers to a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. This type of love is distinct from other forms of love described in the Greco-Roman world, such as eros (romantic love), philia (brotherly love), and storge (familial love). Agapaó and its noun form agapē were relatively rare in classical Greek literature, but the New Testament writers adopted and expanded these terms to describe the unique, divine love revealed in Jesus Christ. This love transcends human emotions and is rooted in the will and character of God.  


John asserts that those who love in this way demonstrate that they have been “born of God” and truly know Him. To be “born of God” means to experience spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ. This new birth transforms a person’s heart, enabling them to love others as God loves. If someone claims to know God but does not exhibit this kind of love, their claim is false. True believers are marked by their ability to love others selflessly and sacrificially, reflecting the nature of God.  


God’s Sacrificial Love

Verses 9-10 highlight the ultimate expression of God’s love: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Here, John points to the incarnation and sacrificial death of Jesus as the definitive demonstration of God’s love.  


The term “propitiation” (Greek: hilasmos) refers to the act of appeasing or satisfying the righteous demands of God’s justice. In the Old Testament, propitiation was often associated with the sacrificial system, where animal offerings were made to atone for sin. In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the ultimate atoning sacrifice, whose death satisfies God’s wrath against sin and reconciles humanity to God. This act of love was entirely initiated by God, not by humanity. While we were still sinners, God loved us and sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8).  


This passage redefines love as selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. True love is not motivated by personal gain or selfish desires but by a commitment to the well-being of others, even at great cost. God’s love for us sets the standard for how we are to love one another.  


God Abides in Us Through Love  

In verses 11-12, John writes, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” Here, John emphasizes the practical outworking of God’s love in the lives of believers. Loving one another is not optional; it is a commandment and a reflection of God’s presence in our lives.  


The Greek verb teleioó, translated as “perfected,” means to bring something to its intended goal or completion. When believers love one another, they participate in the process of spiritual maturity and the fulfillment of God’s purposes. This love is not static but dynamic, growing and deepening as we walk in obedience to God.  


John also reminds his readers that no one has ever seen God directly. However, when we love one another, God’s presence becomes visible in our lives. Our love for others serves as a tangible expression of God’s love, making Him known to the world. This love requires us to let go of selfishness, pride, and hatred and to embrace patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness.  


Application  

The message of 1 John 4:7-12 is as relevant today as it was in the first century. In a world filled with division, hatred, and selfishness, Christians are called to stand out by embodying God’s love. Jesus Himself commanded His followers to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:39), and John reinforces this commandment in his letter.  


Loving others is not merely a suggestion but a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. It requires intentional action, not just words. Simple acts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion can powerfully demonstrate God’s love to those around us. In a culture that often promotes envy, revenge, and indifference, Christians must resist these tendencies and instead reflect the love of Christ.  


This love begins in our homes, churches, and communities. It challenges us to prioritize the well-being of others, even when it is inconvenient or costly. By doing so, we bear witness to the transformative power of God’s love and draw others to Him.  


Conclusion

In conclusion, 1 John 4:7-12 provides a profound understanding of love as a divine attribute that originates from God and is perfectly demonstrated in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This love is selfless, unconditional, and transformative. As believers, we are called to love one another in the same way, reflecting God’s presence in our lives and growing in spiritual maturity.  


John’s message is a powerful reminder that love is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in ways that honor God and benefit others. By embracing and practicing this love, we fulfill God’s commandments and make His love visible to the world. Let us, therefore, strive to love one another deeply and authentically, knowing that in doing so, we abide in God and His love is perfected in us.



 

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