What does 1 John 4:16 mean?

John includes both himself and his readers as believers in the beginning of this verse. His words clearly state that both knowing and believing are important. In many modern churches, believing has been emphasized apart from knowing God. This can lead to people who accept Jesus yet do not live for Him. These people may be "born of God," but they show no signs of "abiding" in Him. Other church movements greatly emphasize knowing God, whether through worship experiences or service to others, yet fail to emphasize salvation. Such people may not have any real relationship with Christ at all, since their concept of God is based on fickle human feelings.

Both "to know and to believe" are essential in the life of a Christian believer. We must believe in who Christ really is, for salvation. We must "know" Him through obedience and fellowship, to be accepted in our actions, and to be blessed by Him.

John adds in the second part of this verse his refrain from verse 8. Namely, that "God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." The person who continues in love is also continuing in God. In other words, love for God and others is the way to remain growing in the Lord. Those who do so have God abiding or living in them. Great, godly love is a powerful sign that a person is a genuine believer in Christ.