1 John 4:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

NIV: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

NASB: By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.

CSB: God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

NLT: God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

KJV: In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

NKJV: In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

John condenses quite a bit of information into this verse. God revealed His love through Jesus, who John describes with some very specific details.

First, God's love is not hidden; it was revealed. Jesus' life and sacrifice are the ultimate proof that God truly loves His people.

Second, God sent Jesus. This uses words similar to what John wrote in his Gospel (John 3:16). Jesus didn't merely appear to us, or visit us. He was "sent" with a purpose and for a reason.

Third, Jesus is the only Son of God. This uses the Greek word monogenē, which means "one and only." It also speaks to Jesus' divine nature. The term means something of the "exact same nature," meaning Jesus is not a creation of God, but shares an identical divine nature.

Fourth, Jesus came to our world. This implies more than the fact that He was born as a man. This also includes the idea that He existed before He came to earth. Jesus was not created. Jesus was in the beginning with God and is God (John 1:1).

John also shares the reason Jesus was sent: "so that we might live through him." Jesus came to give us life. This includes eternal life (John 3:16) and an abundant, "abiding" life now. In John 10:10 Jesus taught, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." A person experiences life at its fullest only by believing in Jesus and living for Him.

First John 4:7–10 returns to the theme of love. Here, John explains how true, godly love in a person's life is a sign of being born again. Those who truly love God will act on that love, towards other people. Those who don’t demonstrate love have no fellowship with God, at minimum. Love is something God showed us first, by sending Christ. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in His original love for us. We are again reminded that true love involves acting, not just feeling.

Chapter 4 warns Christians not to accept every claim they hear. Instead, believers are to compare what they hear to the basic truths of the gospel. John then returns to the theme of love, explaining how believers ought to live out the presence of God's love in their lives. In addition, living according to God's love takes away our fear of judgment. In no uncertain terms, those who claim to love God, but hate others, are liars.

First John chapter 4 emphasizes the way God's love removes the natural human fear of rejection. Fear is a punishment of its own, and those who do not believe have reason to fear judgment. Believers, on the other hand, have confidence. Not only has Christ forgiven our sins, but He gives us God's love. Following in this love leads to acceptance, which leads to confidence, driving out fear. This passage is the key section of John's letter, explaining how confidence in the life of a believer ought to be accomplished.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.