1 John 4:7

KJV

¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Beloved {G27}, let us love {G25} one another {G240}: for {G3754} love {G26} is {G2076} of {G1537} God {G2316}; and {G2532} every one {G3956} that loveth {G25} is born {G1080} of {G1537} God {G2316}, and {G2532} knoweth {G1097} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God.

Berean Standard Bible

Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

American Standard Version

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle John, in 1 John 4:7, presents a foundational truth about the nature of God and the authentic marks of Christian faith. This verse asserts that genuine love originates from God Himself, and its active presence in a believer's life serves as irrefutable evidence of spiritual rebirth and an intimate, experiential knowledge of the Divine. It calls believers to embody this divine love as a primary characteristic of their identity in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love's Divine Origin") is situated within a crucial section of John's first epistle, specifically [1 John 4](/1_john/4 "1 John 4 - Testing the Spirits and God is Love"), where he emphasizes the inseparable link between knowing God and demonstrating love. Having just discussed the importance of discerning spirits and testing prophecies in [1 John 4:1-6](/1_john/4-1-6 "1 John 4:1-6 - Discerning Spirits"), John pivots to the ultimate test of genuine faith: love. He contrasts true believers, who walk in love, with false teachers and those who claim to know God but lack this essential characteristic. For John, love is not merely an emotion but a tangible expression of one's spiritual regeneration and knowledge of God, providing a clear pathway to discern true faith from counterfeit claims, especially in light of the Gnostic tendencies he was combating.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's epistle was likely written towards the end of the first century, a time when early Christian communities faced internal strife from false teachers (proto-Gnostics) who denied the true humanity of Christ and promoted a form of spiritual elitism that often led to moral laxity or indifference towards others. These teachers claimed superior knowledge (gnosis) of God, yet their lives lacked the practical outworking of love. John directly counters these claims by asserting that true knowledge of God is not intellectual assent alone but is demonstrated through ethical conduct, primarily love for fellow believers. The emphasis on "one another" reflects the communal nature of early Christian life and the importance of internal cohesion against external pressures and internal heresies.

* **Key Themes:** [1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love's Divine Origin") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in John's epistle. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Nature as Love**, which is explicitly stated in [1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love"). This verse establishes that love is not merely an attribute of God but His very essence, making it the source of all true love. Secondly, it highlights **Love as Evidence of New Birth**. John consistently links spiritual regeneration to visible actions, and here, love is presented as the primary fruit of being [born of God](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the theme of **Knowing God Experientially**. For John, "knowing God" is not intellectual but relational and transformative, a knowledge that manifests in a life of love. This contrasts with the false teachers' claims of superior knowledge without corresponding ethical fruit, a point John emphasizes throughout [1 John](/1_john/1 "The First Epistle of John").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** From G25, this word signifies a profound, self-sacrificial, and benevolent love, distinct from mere affection (philia) or romantic desire (eros). It describes the kind of unconditional love God demonstrates towards humanity and the kind He calls believers to exhibit towards one another. It is a volitional, active love that seeks the well-being of the beloved, even at personal cost.
* **born (Greek, _gennáō'_):** From G1080, this term means "to procreate" or "to beget," but figuratively, it refers to spiritual regeneration. When applied to believers, it denotes a new spiritual birth, a divine impartation of life from God. This new birth implies a transformation of nature, enabling the one "born of God" to manifest characteristics inherent to their divine Parent, especially love.
* **knoweth (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** From G1097, this verb implies a personal, experiential, and intimate knowledge gained through relationship, rather than mere intellectual understanding or theoretical knowledge. To "know God" in this sense means to have a transforming relationship with Him that impacts one's character and actions, leading to a natural outflow of love.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Beloved, let us love one another":** John begins with an affectionate address, "Beloved" (ἀγαπητοί, _agapētoí_), highlighting the familial bond among believers. The imperative "let us love" is an exhortation to actively and continually practice this divine love within the community. This is not a suggestion but a command, emphasizing the communal responsibility to embody God's nature.
* **"for love is of God;":** This clause provides the foundational reason for the command to love. It asserts that true love (agape) does not originate from human nature or effort but flows directly "from God" (ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ, _ek tou theou_). God is the ultimate source and essence of love, meaning that any genuine expression of love reflects His character and nature.
* **"and every one that loveth is born of God,":** This statement establishes a direct link between the practice of love and spiritual regeneration. The presence of agape love in a person's life is presented as clear evidence that they have experienced a new birth, a spiritual transformation by God. It signifies that they have received God's nature and are His children.
* **"and knoweth God.":** This final clause connects the act of loving and being born of God to an intimate, experiential knowledge of God. True knowledge of God is not merely intellectual assent but a relational understanding that transforms one's life. To genuinely know God is to reflect His primary attribute—love—in one's interactions with others, making love the tangible proof of this divine relationship.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices in [1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love's Divine Origin") to convey his profound message. The opening address, **"Beloved,"** serves as a term of **Endearment** and **Affection**, establishing a pastoral and intimate tone that invites the readers into a familial relationship with the author and with one another. The verse also utilizes **Didacticism**, directly teaching a fundamental theological truth about the origin and nature of love. Furthermore, there is a clear **Cause and Effect** structure: because love is "of God," those who love are "born of God" and "know God." This logical progression emphasizes the inseparable connection between divine origin, spiritual regeneration, and practical manifestation. The **Repetition** of the concept of "love" (verb and noun) and "God" throughout the verse underscores their centrality to John's argument, creating a powerful and memorable statement about Christian identity and conduct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love's Divine Origin") is a theological cornerstone, asserting that love is not merely a Christian virtue but a direct emanation of God's very being. This divine origin means that genuine love is supernatural, flowing from God's essence into the hearts of those who are spiritually reborn. It is the primary evidence of a transformed life, demonstrating that one has truly entered into an intimate, experiential relationship with the Creator. This understanding elevates love beyond a mere ethical command to a profound theological reality: to love is to participate in the divine nature and to bear the family likeness of God.

* [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")
* [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")
* [Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love's Divine Origin") presents both a profound comfort and a challenging call to action for believers today. The comfort lies in understanding that the capacity for true, self-sacrificial love is not something we conjure up on our own but is a divine gift, a natural outflow of being "born of God." If we find ourselves struggling to love, this verse reminds us to look to the Source—God Himself—and to remember our identity as His children. The challenge, however, is equally potent: our love for one another serves as the most compelling evidence of our spiritual reality and our knowledge of God. In a world often characterized by division, self-interest, and animosity, the church is called to be a counter-cultural community defined by the very love that flows from God. This means actively pursuing reconciliation, extending grace, practicing forgiveness, and serving others, even when it is difficult or costly. Our love for fellow believers is not merely an internal spiritual exercise but a powerful, visible testimony to a watching world, inviting them to encounter the God who is love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily life reflect the truth that "love is of God"?**
* **In what specific ways can I more intentionally "love one another" within my Christian community and beyond?**
* **How does the concept of "being born of God" connect to my capacity to love, and what does this imply about moments when I struggle to show love?**
* **What does "knowing God" experientially mean for me, and how does my love for others demonstrate this knowledge?**

### FAQ

**What kind of "love" is John referring to in this verse?**

Answer: John is referring to _agape_ love (Greek: ἀγάπη), which is a distinct type of love in the New Testament. Unlike _philia_ (brotherly affection) or _eros_ (romantic desire), _agape_ is a self-sacrificial, unconditional, and benevolent love. It is a love that chooses to act for the good of another, regardless of their worthiness or whether they reciprocate. This is the very nature of God's love for humanity, as demonstrated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"), and it is the kind of love He calls His followers to embody.

**How does "love" prove that someone is "born of God" and "knows God"?**

Answer: For John, love is not just an emotion or a moral command; it is the natural and inevitable fruit of a transformed life. If God is love ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love")), then those who are "born of God" (spiritually regenerated by Him) will inherently bear His character, which is love. Just as a child resembles its parent, a person born of God will exhibit God's loving nature. Similarly, "knowing God" is not merely intellectual assent but an intimate, experiential relationship that transforms one's character. To truly know God is to be conformed to His image, and since His primary attribute is love, a life characterized by _agape_ love is the clearest evidence of this deep, relational knowledge. As Jesus Himself stated in [John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - Love as a Mark of Discipleship"), "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 John 4:7](/1_john/4-7 "1 John 4:7 - Love's Divine Origin") finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of the truth that "love is of God," for He is God incarnate, and His entire life was a living demonstration of _agape_ love. From His humble birth to His sacrificial death, Jesus perfectly revealed the Father's heart of love, culminating in His willingness to lay down His life for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Through Christ, we are not only shown what divine love looks like, but we are also enabled to participate in it. It is by being "born of God" through faith in Christ ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Receiving Christ")) that the Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")), empowering us to "love one another" as He loved us ([John 15:12](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - Jesus' Command to Love")). Thus, our capacity to love is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work, making love the undeniable mark of those who truly "know God" through Him.

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 4:8

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:20

If 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?

1 John 5:1

¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 Peter 1:22

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 John 2:10

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.