Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Read it in contextGod's love and our love
Start reading at 1 John 4:7 (1 John 4:7 to 1 John 4:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
God's sending of His Son grounds the command to love one another and exposes the contradiction of claiming love for God while hating a brother.
4:7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
4:8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
4:9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
4:11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
4:12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
4:14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
4:15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
4:16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
4:17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
4:19We love him, because he first loved us.
4:20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
4:21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author, associated with the eyewitness testimony and teaching also found in the Gospel of John. Biblical references: 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:3. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Epistles of. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 John 3:1–5:21): The same community receives instruction about love, righteous conduct, testing spirits, faith in Jesus Christ, and prayer. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Believers in the name of the Son of God, addressed as children and beloved, facing false teaching and a separation within their community. No city is named. Biblical references: 1 John 2:19; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 5:13. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? God's love and our love. Read 1 John 4:7 through 1 John 4:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? God's sending of His Son grounds the command to love one another and exposes the contradiction of claiming love for God while hating a brother. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The writing addresses current claims, departures, and conduct among its readers without supplying a calendar date. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? No city of destination or composition is explicitly named. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in God's love and our love (1 John 4:7 to 1 John 4:21).
Start reading at 1 John 4:7. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The writing centers on Jesus Christ come in the flesh, His cleansing and advocacy, and abiding in Him. Love and obedience are presented as tests of claimed fellowship. See 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Test claims of fellowship by truth, love, and obedience. Assurance should be read with the letter's calls to abide and its warnings about deception. interpretation
Cited: 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:21, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:2
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostleFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe letter does not name its author, but claims eyewitness testimony of the Word of life. 1 John 1:1
Early traditionEarly testimony names John the apostle, and the style closely matches the Gospel of John.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 John 4
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
Connection to the wholeThe readers are told to test spiritual claims, with confession concerning Jesus Christ come in the flesh central to the distinction.
Connection to the wholeGod's sending of His Son grounds the command to love one another and exposes the contradiction of claiming love for God while hating a brother.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 John
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
This letter does not name its writer or a geographical destination. It addresses a believing community as children, fathers, young men, and beloved, testing claims of fellowship through truth about Jesus, obedience, and love.
Connection to the wholeThe letter tests claims to know God, warns against the world and antichrists, and urges the readers to abide in what they heard.
Connection to the wholeThe community's identity is connected to conduct and love, while competing spiritual claims are tested by their confession concerning Jesus Christ.
Connection to the wholeThe argument connects God's initiating love with mutual love, obedient faith, and the testimony God has given concerning His Son.