1 John 4:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins.

Berean Standard Bible:

And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Herein^{G1722}^{G5129} is^{G2076} love^{G26}, not^{G3754} that^{G3756} we^{G2249} loved^{G25} God^{G2316}, but^{G235} that^{G3754} he^{G846} loved^{G25} us^{G2248}, and^{G2532} sent^{G649} his^{G846} Son^{G5207} to be the propitiation^{G2434} for^{G4012} our^{G2257} sins^{G266}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Ephesians 2:4

¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

John 15:16

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

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Commentary for 1 John 4:10

1 John 4:10 is a verse that encapsulates the heart of Christian soteriology (the study of salvation) and the nature of divine love as understood within the Christian tradition. The verse reads, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins."

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the first-century Christian community, which the Apostle John, the traditional author of 1 John, was addressing. This community was grappling with false teachings and heretical beliefs, including Gnosticism and Docetism, which denied the true humanity of Jesus Christ. John writes to reassure the believers of the true nature of God's love and to correct these erroneous doctrines.

The themes of 1 John 4:10 are profound and multifaceted:

1. **The Initiative of Divine Love**: The verse emphasizes that God's love is not a response to human initiative. Rather, it is God who takes the first step in loving humanity. This love is unconditional and precedes any affection or devotion that humans might offer to God.

2. **The Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ**: The concept of propitiation refers to the act of appeasing or satisfying the wrath of God. In Christian theology, Jesus' death on the cross is seen as the perfect and ultimate sacrifice that atones for the sins of humanity, thus reconciling humans with God.

3. **The Nature of Salvation**: The verse underscores that salvation is a gift from God, not something that can be earned or achieved through human efforts. It is God's love, demonstrated through the sending of His Son, that provides the means for forgiveness and redemption.

4. **The Example of Love**: By highlighting God's love as the model for love, John implies that believers should emulate this selfless love in their relationships with one another. The sacrificial love of God in Christ serves as the standard for Christian conduct and community life.

In summary, 1 John 4:10 is a powerful statement of the Christian understanding of love, which is defined by God's initiative in sending Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for sins. This verse serves as a cornerstone for the Christian belief in salvation by grace through faith and calls believers to reflect this divine love in their interactions within the community of faith.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Strong's Number: G5129
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τούτῳ
Transliteration: toútōi
Pronunciation: too'-to
Description: dative case singular masculine or neuter of οὗτος; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.
Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G26
There are 727 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγάπη
Transliteration: agápē
Pronunciation: ag-ah'-pay
Description: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G2249
There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμεῖς
Transliteration: hēmeîs
Pronunciation: hay-mice'
Description: nominative plural of ἐγώ; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves).
Strong's Number: G25
There are 5851 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγαπάω
Transliteration: agapáō
Pronunciation: ag-ap-ah'-o
Description: perhaps from (much) (or compare עֲגַב); to love (in a social or moral sense):--(be-)love(-ed). Compare φιλέω.
Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G2248
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμᾶς
Transliteration: hēmâs
Pronunciation: hay-mas'
Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G649
There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀποστέλλω
Transliteration: apostéllō
Pronunciation: ap-os-tel'-lo
Description: from ἀπό and στέλλω; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).
Strong's Number: G5207
There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: υἱός
Transliteration: huiós
Pronunciation: hwee-os'
Description: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son.
Strong's Number: G2434
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἱλασμός
Transliteration: hilasmós
Pronunciation: hil-as-mos'
Description:
Strong's Number: G4012
There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περί
Transliteration: perí
Pronunciation: per-ee'
Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
Strong's Number: G2257
There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῶν
Transliteration: hēmōn
Pronunciation: hay-mone'
Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.
Strong's Number: G266
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἁμαρτία
Transliteration: hamartía
Pronunciation: ham-ar-tee'-ah
Description: from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).

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