1 John 4:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

NIV: Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

NASB: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

CSB: Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.

NLT: Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

KJV: Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

NKJV: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Starting a new thought, John begins again by referring to his readers as "Beloved." The word "if" here is not used in the sense of asking a question. It's meant to be understood as "since." Since God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die to cover the cost of our sins, we should offer a similar response by loving others. Just as Jesus offered unconditional love through His sacrifice, believers are to offer similar love based on God's example rather than our feelings or the actions of others.

It should also be noted that unconditional love does not mean accepting unconditional mistreatment. Turning the other cheek in the face of insults shows love (Matthew 5:39), but we are not called to be careless with our lives (Luke 22:36). For example, God does not desire a person to remain in a physically abusive situation in order to show love. God's nature includes protection as well as love (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 18:2). We can love others unconditionally, while also using wisdom in dealing with those who might take advantage of the love of believers (Matthew 10:16).

First John 4:11–19 is the backbone of John's letter. The primary way Christians are to be recognized is by love. This is not merely what we feel, but what we do for others. True, godly love is the most powerful evidence of being ''born again'' as a child of God. This love comes from God, who loved us before we loved Him. When we live in obedience to God, according to love, we can be confident in our relationship with Him, and have no need to fear His judgment.

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 12:25:51 AM