1 John 4:16

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡμεῖς we G2249
ἡμεῖς we
Strong's: G2249
Word #: 2 of 32
we (only used when emphatic)
ἐγνώκαμεν have known G1097
ἐγνώκαμεν have known
Strong's: G1097
Word #: 3 of 32
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 4 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πεπιστεύκαμεν believed G4100
πεπιστεύκαμεν believed
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 5 of 32
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπῃ love G26
ἀγάπῃ love
Strong's: G26
Word #: 7 of 32
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ἣν that G3739
ἣν that
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 8 of 32
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχει hath G2192
ἔχει hath
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 9 of 32
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 11 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 12 of 32
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἡμῖν us G2254
ἡμῖν us
Strong's: G2254
Word #: 13 of 32
to (or for, with, by) us
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 15 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀγάπῃ love G26
ἀγάπῃ love
Strong's: G26
Word #: 16 of 32
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ἐστίν, is G2076
ἐστίν, is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 17 of 32
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 18 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μένει dwelleth G3306
μένει dwelleth
Strong's: G3306
Word #: 20 of 32
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 21 of 32
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπῃ love G26
ἀγάπῃ love
Strong's: G26
Word #: 23 of 32
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 24 of 32
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 26 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μένει dwelleth G3306
μένει dwelleth
Strong's: G3306
Word #: 27 of 32
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 28 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 29 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς God G2316
Θεὸς God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 30 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 31 of 32
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 32 of 32
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis & Commentary

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. John summarizes his teaching on God's love. "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us" (kai hēmeis egnōkamen kai pepisteukamen tēn agapēn hēn echei ho theos en hēmin). The perfect tenses emphasize past experience with continuing results—the apostles (and believers generally) came to know and believe God's love, and continue in that knowledge and faith. Ginōskō (know) involves experiential knowledge; pisteuō (believe) involves trust and reliance. Both are necessary—we know God's love demonstrated in Christ and believe it personally applies to us.

"God is love" (ho theos agapē estin)—this profound statement (repeated from 4:8) defines God's essential nature. Love isn't merely God's attribute but His essence. This doesn't mean God is an abstract concept "love" or that all love is God (pantheism), but that God's very being is characterized by self-giving, other-centered love supremely demonstrated in Christ. Understanding this transforms theology—God's actions (creation, redemption, discipline, judgment) all flow from His loving nature.

"And he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (kai ho menōn en tē agapē en tō theō menei kai ho theos en autō). Living in love means abiding in God because God is love. This creates inseparable connection between loving God and loving others—we cannot claim to abide in God (who is love) while failing to love. Conversely, genuine love for others evidences God's indwelling and our abiding in Him. Love is both Christian duty and Christian proof.

Historical Context

The statement "God is love" was revolutionary in the ancient world. Greek philosophy conceived god as unmoved mover, distant and dispassionate. Roman religion portrayed capricious deities motivated by self-interest. Judaism emphasized God's justice and holiness alongside His covenant love. Christianity uniquely proclaimed that God's very essence is love—not sentimental affection but costly, sacrificial commitment demonstrated in Christ's cross.

This truth grounded Christian ethics. If God is love, His children must love (be like their Father). Early Christians' radical love distinguished them from surrounding culture. However, this statement also required careful understanding—God's love doesn't contradict His justice, holiness, or wrath. Rather, His love satisfies justice through Christ's atonement, maintains holiness by transforming believers, and will ultimately judge those who reject His loving offer of salvation.

Questions for Reflection

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