1 John 4:14

¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

And {G2532} we {G2249} have seen {G2300} and {G2532} do testify {G3140} that {G3754} the Father {G3962} sent {G649} the Son {G5207} to be the Saviour {G4990} of the world {G2889}.

Moreover, we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as Deliverer of the world.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Commentary

1 John 4:14 (KJV): "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world."

Context of 1 John 4:14

This powerful verse from the Apostle John's first epistle serves as a foundational declaration of Christian faith, nestled within a broader discussion about love, truth, and the discernment of spirits. Prior to this verse, John has emphasized the importance of testing spirits to determine if they are from God, specifically by their acknowledgment of Jesus Christ having come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3). The passage then transitions to highlight that God is love, and His love was supremely demonstrated by sending His Son. Verse 14 acts as a direct eyewitness testimony, reinforcing the divine origin and purpose of Jesus Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Apostolic Witness: The phrase "we have seen and do testify" emphasizes the direct, personal experience of the apostles. They were not relaying hearsay but proclaiming what they had witnessed firsthand concerning Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension. This eyewitness account provides a solid basis for Christian belief and doctrine.
  • Divine Initiative: "The Father sent the Son" highlights God's sovereign plan and active role in humanity's salvation. It was not a human invention or an afterthought, but a deliberate act of divine love and grace. This emphasizes God's proactive desire to reconcile humanity to Himself.
  • The Identity and Mission of Christ: Jesus is identified as "the Son," affirming His unique relationship with the Father and His divine nature. His mission is unequivocally stated: "to be the Saviour of the world." This signifies that His purpose was to deliver humanity from sin, death, and separation from God, offering redemption and eternal life to all who believe.
  • Universal Scope of Salvation: The phrase "Saviour of the world" underscores the expansive, global reach of God's redemptive plan. It is not limited to a specific nation or group but is offered to all people, demonstrating God's boundless love for all humanity. This echoes similar statements about Christ's mission found in John 3:16 and John 4:42.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "sent" here is apostello (ἀποστέλλω), which implies a sending with a specific commission or purpose. It highlights the divine authority behind Jesus' mission. The term "Saviour" is from the Greek soter (σωτήρ), meaning deliverer, preserver, or rescuer. This word emphasizes Jesus' role as the one who brings salvation and deliverance. "World" is kosmos (κόσμος), referring to humanity in general, the created order, particularly in its fallen state, underscoring the universal need for salvation and the breadth of God's redemptive love.

Practical Application and Reflection

1 John 4:14 offers profound assurance and a call to action for believers today. It serves as a bedrock for Christian evangelism, reminding us that the core message we share is based on an undeniable historical event and a divine initiative: God sent His Son to save humanity. This verse encourages us to:

  • Embrace Assurance: Our salvation is not based on human effort but on God's perfect plan executed through Christ. This truth brings peace and security.
  • Bear Witness: Just as the apostles testified, believers are called to share this good news. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the Saviour, and our words should declare His truth.
  • Understand God's Love: The sending of the Son as Saviour is the ultimate demonstration of God's unfathomable love for a lost world. This should inspire deeper worship and gratitude.
  • Live in Mission: Recognizing the universal scope of Christ's saving work, we are called to participate in His mission, sharing the message of salvation with all people, regardless of background or nationality.

This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian faith, emphasizing God's love, Christ's identity, and the global reach of His redemptive work.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 4:10

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

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  • John 3:17

    For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

  • John 4:42

    And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard [him] ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

  • 1 John 2:1

    ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

  • 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.
← Back