I John 4:19
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We love because He first loved us.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
him--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Translate, We (emphatical: WE on our part) love (in general: love alike Him, and the brethren, and our fellow men), because He (emphatical: answering to "we"; because it was He who) first loved us in sending His Son (Greek aorist of a definite act at a point of time). He was the first to love us: this thought ought to create in us love casting out fear (Jo1 4:18).
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits (Jo1 4:1), gives a note to try by (Jo1 4:2, Jo1 4:3), shows who are of the world and who of God (Jo1 4:4-6), urges Christian love by divers considerations (Jo1 4:7-16), describes our love to God, and the effect of it (Jo1 4:17-21).
Open source ↗4:19 God loved us first, while we were sinners, not only after we gave sin up (Rom 8:5-11). God started the process; when he loved us he enabled us to respond to him in love and to extend that love to others.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,