1 John 4:10 — “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Explanation of the Verse
This verse tells us what real love is. John is not talking about the kind of love we often see in the world—love that depends on feelings, circumstances, or what someone does for us. Instead, John points to the deepest and purest kind of love: God’s love for us.
He makes it clear that love didn’t start with us. We didn’t reach out to God first. He loved us first. God proved His love by sending His Son, Jesus, to be an “atoning sacrifice” for our sins. That means Jesus took the punishment we deserved. He died in our place so we could be forgiven and brought back to God.
This is not a love we earned. It’s a love freely given to people who didn’t deserve it.
Historical Context
At the time John wrote this letter, many false teachers were twisting the message about who Jesus was and what He had done. Some denied that Jesus was really God in the flesh or that His death had any real meaning.
John wrote to remind the believers that God’s love was not something vague or hidden. It was shown clearly and publicly when Jesus died on the cross.
This verse would have been a powerful reminder to early Christians who were surrounded by spiritual confusion and false teaching.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches the heart of the Christian faith—that God’s love is sacrificial and undeserved. It shows that love is not just a feeling but an action.
It also teaches that sin is real and serious. God’s love led Him to deal with our sin, not ignore it. The “atoning sacrifice” means that Jesus paid the price for sin so that we could be forgiven.
Finally, it shows that God took the first step. He loved us before we ever loved Him. Our relationship with God is built on His love, not our effort.
Literary Analysis
John uses simple but powerful language. He starts by defining love—not by how we love God but by how He loved us.
The key phrase “atoning sacrifice” is rich with meaning. It refers to the Old Testament practice of offering sacrifices to cover sin, but here it points to Jesus’ death on the cross as the final, complete sacrifice.
The sentence is structured to make the point clear: Love starts with God, and it is seen most clearly in the cross.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Romans 5:8 — “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.”
- Isaiah 53:5 — “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.”
- 1 John 2:2 — “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a clear reminder of where love begins. It doesn’t start with us trying harder to love God. It starts with knowing how deeply He has loved us.
This verse invites believers to rest in God’s love, knowing they are fully forgiven and accepted because of what Jesus has done.
It also challenges believers to reflect that same kind of sacrificial love to others—not because people deserve it, but because that’s how God has loved us.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows us the depth and action of God’s love. He didn’t love us from a distance. He loved us enough to send His Son to deal with our greatest problem—our sin.
God’s love is not based on what we do but on who He is. It is sacrificial, personal, and powerful.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is all about Jesus. He is the one God sent as an “atoning sacrifice.” His death on the cross is the ultimate proof of God’s love.
The cross was not an accident or a tragedy—it was God’s plan to save sinners. Jesus willingly gave His life to bring people back to God.
Through Jesus, we see what real love looks like: a love that gives, serves, and sacrifices for others.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does this verse teach you about the nature of God’s love?
- How does knowing that God loved you first affect the way you live your life?
- Why is it important to understand that Jesus’ death was an “atoning sacrifice”?
- In what ways do you see people today trying to earn God’s love, instead of resting in what He has already done?
- How can you reflect God’s sacrificial love to others in your everyday life?