1 John 4:16

And 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.

And {G2532} we {G2249} have known {G1097} and {G2532} believed {G4100} the love {G26} that {G3739} God {G2316} hath {G2192} to {G1722} us {G2254}. God {G2316} is {G2076} love {G26}; and {G2532} he that dwelleth {G3306} in {G1722} love {G26} dwelleth {G3306} in {G1722} God {G2316}, and {G2532} God {G2316} in {G1722} him {G846}.

Also we have come to know and trust the love that God has for us. God is love; and those who remain in this love remain united with God, and God remains united with them.

And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.

Context

This powerful verse, 1 John 4:16, stands as a cornerstone in John's First Epistle, which primarily addresses the nature of God, the essentiality of love among believers, and the discernment of true faith from false teachings prevalent in the early church. Coming after John's assertions that God is light (1 John 1:5) and that God sent His Son as propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10), this verse encapsulates the very essence of divine character and its implications for human existence. It builds upon the idea that those who love are born of God and know God.

Key Themes

  • God's Defining Nature: "God is Love": This is one of the most profound statements in the Bible. It's not merely that God loves, but that love is inherent to His very being and character. Love is not just an attribute of God; it defines Him. This concept profoundly shapes our understanding of His actions and intentions.
  • Knowing and Believing Divine Love: The verse emphasizes both an intellectual understanding ("known") and a trusting acceptance ("believed") of the immense love God has for humanity. This suggests that experiencing God's love involves both revelation and faith.
  • Mutual Indwelling Through Love: A central theme is the reciprocal relationship between God and the believer. "He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." This signifies an intimate, continuous communion where living in accordance with God's love allows for a profound spiritual union with Him. It's a state of being where God's presence is actively experienced and reflected.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word for "love" used here is agape (ἀγάπη). This is not a fleeting emotional love (like eros or philia), but a self-sacrificing, benevolent, and unconditional love. It describes a deliberate choice of the will, a commitment to the well-being of others, regardless of their deservingness. When the Bible states "God is love," it means God's very nature is characterized by this selfless, giving, and perfect agape, which was supremely demonstrated in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

For the believer, understanding that God is love has transformative implications:

  • Assurance and Security: Knowing God's fundamental nature is love provides immense comfort and security in His faithfulness and good intentions towards us.
  • A Call to Action: If God is love, and we dwell in Him, then our lives should reflect this same agape love towards others. This means living selflessly, forgivingly, and compassionately, just as Christ lived. It's a call to embody the divine nature.
  • Deepening Relationship: Actively living in love—both receiving God's love and extending it to others—is the pathway to a deeper, more intimate communion with God. It is through this active love that we truly "dwell in God, and God in us," making His presence real and tangible in our daily lives.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 3:24

    And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

  • Psalms 36:7

    How excellent [is] thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

  • Psalms 36:9

    For with thee [is] the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

  • 1 John 3:1

    ¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

  • Psalms 18:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

  • Psalms 18:3

    I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

  • 1 John 4:12

    No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

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