1 John 4:7-11 Commentary
Love, the Characteristic of God
In 1 John 4:7-11, the apostle John writes about the importance of love in the life of a believer. He emphasizes that love is not just a feeling or an emotion, but rather a fundamental characteristic of God's nature.
Verse 7: Born of God
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7, NASB)
In this verse, John reminds us that love is not a human invention, but rather a divine attribute that originates from God. The phrase "born of God" indicates that those who demonstrate love are, in fact, children of God. This means that love is not just a feeling, but rather a manifestation of one's spiritual rebirth.
Verse 8: God is Love
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8, NASB)
Here, John makes a bold statement: God is love. This is not just a description of God's character, but rather a declaration of God's very essence. Love is not just something God does; love is who God is.
Verse 9: God's Love in Christ
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9, NASB)
John highlights the ultimate expression of God's love: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God's love is not just a feeling or an emotion, but rather a deliberate act of selflessness demonstrated through the cross.
Verse 10: Love is not Ours
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10, NASB)
John emphasizes that love is not initiated by humans, but rather it is God who takes the initiative. Our love is only a response to God's prior love for us.
Verse 11: Loving One Another
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11, NASB)
In this final verse, John draws a practical conclusion: if God has loved us so sacrificially, we ought to love one another in the same way. This is not a command, but rather a natural response to the abundant love of God.
Conclusion
In 1 John 4:7-11, we discover that love is not just a human emotion, but rather a fundamental characteristic of God's nature. As believers, we are called to demonstrate this divine love to one another, not because we are capable of it on our own, but because we have experienced the transformative power of God's love in our lives.
