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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 4:14 serves as a profound apostolic declaration, asserting the eyewitness testimony of the apostles regarding God's ultimate act of love: sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. This verse encapsulates the core of the Christian gospel, affirming Christ's divine origin and His universal mission as the promised Deliverer and Redeemer for all humanity, thereby providing a foundational truth for discerning genuine faith from false teaching.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a crucial section of John's first epistle that emphasizes the necessity of discerning truth from error, particularly concerning the person of Jesus Christ. Prior to [1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - The Father Sent the Son"), John urges believers to "test the spirits" ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")) to identify those that confess "that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" ([1 John 4:2](/1_john/4-2 "1 John 4:2 - Confessing Christ Incarnate")), distinguishing them from antichrist spirits. The passage then transitions to highlight the source of true love and truth: God Himself. John declares that "God is love" ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love")) and demonstrates this love by sending His Son as "the propitiation for our sins" ([1 John 4:10](/1_john/4-10 "1 John 4:10 - God's Love and Propitiation")). Verse 14, therefore, acts as a climactic eyewitness affirmation of this divine act, solidifying the theological basis for the love and truth John has been expounding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First John was likely written in Ephesus towards the end of the first century, a period marked by the rise of proto-Gnostic teachings. These nascent heresies often denied the true humanity of Jesus, asserting that He only *seemed* to have a physical body (Docetism) or that the divine Christ descended upon the human Jesus at His baptism and departed before His crucifixion. Such beliefs undermined the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice. John's epistle, including [1 John 4](/1_john/4 "1 John 4 - Discerning Spirits and God's Love"), directly counters these errors by stressing the tangible reality of Jesus' incarnation ("come in the flesh") and the historical fact of His mission. The emphasis on "we have seen and do testify" grounds the Christian message in verifiable historical experience, countering the abstract, spiritualized claims of the false teachers.
* **Key Themes:** [1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - The Father Sent the Son") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the epistle. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Apostolic Witness and Authority**, grounding the Christian message not in speculation but in the direct experience of those who walked with Jesus. Secondly, it underscores **God's Initiating Love**, emphasizing that salvation is not a human endeavor but a divine gift, flowing from God's own nature as love, as seen in [1 John 4:9-10](/1_john/4-9-10 "1 John 4:9-10 - God's Love Manifested"). Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Incarnation and Atonement of Christ**, affirming Jesus' unique identity as "the Son" sent by the Father for the specific purpose of being "the Saviour of the world," a truth central to the gospel message articulated throughout the New Testament, such as in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Finally, it strongly asserts the **Universal Scope of Salvation**, declaring that Christ's saving work extends to the entire "world," demonstrating God's boundless grace and redemptive plan for all humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seen (Greek, _theáomai'_):** This verb denotes a close, careful, and often prolonged looking, implying a deep perception and observation rather than a casual glance. When used by the apostles, it signifies their direct, personal, and verifiable experience of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, providing an authoritative basis for their testimony.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This term means "to send out" with a specific commission, purpose, or authority. It is not merely a physical dispatch but implies a divine appointment and delegation of a crucial mission. Here, it underscores the Father's sovereign initiative and intentionality in sending the Son, emphasizing Christ's divine authority and the specific redemptive purpose of His coming.
* **Saviour (Greek, _sōtḗr'_):** Derived from the verb "to save" (sōzō), this noun refers to a deliverer, preserver, or rescuer. In the context of the New Testament, it signifies Jesus' unique role as the one who brings spiritual deliverance from sin, death, and God's wrath, offering reconciliation and eternal life. It encapsulates the entirety of His redemptive work for humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we have seen and do testify":** This opening clause establishes the authoritative foundation of the apostolic message. The "we" refers to John and his fellow apostles, who were eyewitnesses to the life, miracles, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Their testimony is not based on hearsay or speculation but on direct, personal observation and experience. The present tense "do testify" indicates a continuing, active proclamation of this truth.
* **"that the Father sent the Son":** This phrase reveals the divine origin and initiative of salvation. It highlights the pre-existence of the Son and His unique relationship with the Father. The Father's act of "sending" implies a deliberate, purposeful commission, underscoring the divine plan for humanity's redemption and the Son's obedience to that plan.
* **"[to be] the Saviour of the world":** This final clause specifies the precise purpose and universal scope of the Son's mission. Jesus was sent not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as the ultimate "Saviour," the one who delivers humanity from the bondage and consequences of sin. The phrase "of the world" emphasizes the boundless reach of God's redemptive love, extending beyond any national or ethnic boundaries to encompass all of fallen humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Eyewitness Testimony** is central, as the phrase "we have seen and do testify" grounds the theological assertion in verifiable, historical experience, lending undeniable authority and credibility to the apostles' message. This is further reinforced by the nature of the statement as a **Confession of Faith** or **Declaration**, a concise, unambiguous articulation of a core Christian belief. The use of **Divine Commissioning** through "the Father sent the Son" highlights God's sovereign agency and intentionality in the plan of salvation, emphasizing that this is a divine initiative, not a human one. Finally, the phrase "Saviour of the world" utilizes **Universalism** or **Global Scope**, broadening the redemptive message beyond a specific group to encompass all of humanity, underscoring the expansive nature of God's love and Christ's saving work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First John 4:14 encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's active, self-giving love is the driving force behind human salvation, manifested supremely in the sending of His Son. This verse connects the historical reality of Jesus' incarnation with His divine mission, affirming both His true humanity (as seen by the apostles) and His unique deity (as the Son sent by the Father). It underscores that salvation is not earned but received as a gift, initiated by God's sovereign will and designed to address the universal plight of sin. The apostolic testimony serves as the reliable foundation upon which believers can confidently place their faith, knowing that the message of Christ as the world's Saviour is rooted in verifiable truth and divine purpose.

* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")
* [John 4:42](/john/4-42 "Jesus, the Saviour of the World")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound declaration in [1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - The Father Sent the Son") offers immense assurance and a clear call to action for every believer. It reminds us that the bedrock of our faith is not a philosophical construct or a human invention, but a divine reality rooted in God's eternal love and executed through the historical person of Jesus Christ. Understanding that the Father Himself "sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" should fill us with unwavering confidence in our salvation, knowing it rests on God's perfect plan and not our imperfect efforts. This truth compels us to live lives of gratitude, worship, and humble obedience. Furthermore, as recipients of this glorious salvation, we are called to echo the apostles' testimony, sharing the good news of Christ with a world desperately in need of His saving grace, recognizing the universal scope of His redemptive work. Our lives, transformed by His love, become a living witness to the truth we have embraced.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "eyewitness" nature of the apostles' testimony in this verse strengthen your personal faith and assurance in Christ?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God's initiative ("the Father sent the Son") deepen your understanding of His love and grace?**
* **Given that Jesus is "the Saviour of the world," how does this truth influence your perspective on evangelism and missions?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that "we have seen and do testify"?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the **eyewitness testimony** of the apostles, particularly John, who personally observed Jesus' life, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection. It means their proclamation about Jesus is not based on hearsay, speculation, or myth, but on direct, verifiable experience. This lends immense authority and credibility to their message, affirming that the Christian faith is grounded in historical facts. The "do testify" indicates their ongoing commitment to proclaiming this truth.

**Why is it significant that "the Father sent the Son"?**

Answer: This is profoundly significant because it highlights the **divine initiative** in salvation. It means that humanity's redemption was not a human invention or a response to human effort, but a deliberate act of God's sovereign will and love. It also affirms the pre-existence of the Son and His unique, eternal relationship with the Father. The Father's act of "sending" implies a specific divine commission for the Son to accomplish the work of salvation. This concept is foundational to understanding God's active role in reconciling humanity to Himself, as seen in passages like [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "God Sent Not to Condemn").

**What is the meaning of "Saviour of the world"?**

Answer: "Saviour of the world" means that Jesus Christ's redemptive work is comprehensive and universal in its scope. He is the deliverer, rescuer, and preserver not just for a select group or nation, but for all of fallen humanity. This phrase underscores God's boundless love and His desire for all people to be saved, as expressed in [1 Timothy 2:4](/1_timothy/2-4 "God Desires All to Be Saved"). It signifies that His atoning sacrifice and resurrection provide the means of salvation for anyone, anywhere, who believes in Him, offering deliverance from sin, death, and separation from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - The Father Sent the Son") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the very person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the "Son" eternally begotten of the Father, who, in an unparalleled act of divine love, was "sent" into the world. This "sending" is the Incarnation itself, where the pre-existent Word became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) to dwell among us, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - Immanuel Prophecy"). Jesus' entire earthly ministry, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, was the embodiment of His mission "to be the Saviour of the world." He perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, offering Himself as the propitiation for our sins ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Propitiation for Our Sins")), thereby delivering humanity from the bondage of sin and death. His universal saving work, extended to "the world," demonstrates that His redemptive power knows no bounds, making salvation available to all who believe, a truth echoed in [Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9-13 "Romans 10:9-13 - Confessing Christ for Salvation"). Thus, [1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - The Father Sent the Son") is not merely a historical statement but a living testament to Christ's divine identity, redemptive purpose, and universal reign as the Lord and Saviour of all.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.