1 John 4:7 — “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, John turns from warnings about false teachers to focus on one of the most important signs of true faith—love. He addresses the believers tenderly as “dear friends” and calls them to love one another.
John’s message is simple but powerful: Love isn’t just a good idea or a nice feeling—it comes from God Himself. When people genuinely love others in the way God calls them to, it shows something deeper. It reveals that they have been “born of God”—meaning they have a new life from God—and that they know Him.
This kind of love is not based on emotion or personal benefit. It’s the kind of love that puts others first, serves, forgives, and sacrifices. John is saying that real love flows from knowing God because God is the source of true love.
Historical Context
John wrote this letter to Christians who were surrounded by division and confusion. False teachers had crept into the church, spreading lies about Jesus and stirring up strife.
In contrast to the division and falsehood, John points believers back to love. Love was to be the clear mark of those who truly belonged to God. The early church lived in a world full of selfishness, violence, and spiritual confusion, much like today. John reminds them that their lives should look different because of God’s love at work in them.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that love is not optional for those who follow God. It is the clear evidence of being born of God and knowing Him.
It also shows that love has a divine source. It is not something humans invented or figured out on their own. Love starts with God, flows through His people, and is the clearest proof that someone belongs to Him.
John is not talking about shallow love or worldly love but the selfless, sacrificial love that mirrors God’s character.
Literary Analysis
John’s writing here is warm and pastoral. He addresses his readers as “dear friends,” showing care and affection. The command “let us love one another” is gentle but firm.
The structure is clear: a call to action (“let us love”), followed by the reason (“for love comes from God”), and a test of true faith (“everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”).
The simplicity of the language reflects the simplicity and depth of the message—real faith is shown in real love.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- John 13:34-35 — “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
- 1 John 3:10 — “Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”
- 1 John 3:23 — “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
- Romans 5:5 — “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a clear reminder that love is not just a feeling or a suggestion—it’s the mark of a real relationship with God.
In a world filled with anger, division, and selfishness, Christians are called to live differently. Loving others, especially other believers, shows that God is truly at work in us.
It also challenges us to examine our own hearts. If we claim to know God but don’t show love, something is missing.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reveals God’s loving nature. He is the source of all real love. His love is not distant or cold; it is active, warm, and life-changing.
God’s love isn’t just something He shows; it’s who He is. Because of that, anyone who knows God will naturally reflect His love to others.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is deeply connected to Jesus. Jesus is the perfect picture of God’s love. He loved us so much that He laid down His life for us (John 15:13).
When John talks about loving one another, he is pointing back to Jesus’ example and command to love. Knowing Jesus and following Him leads to a life marked by love.
The new birth John talks about—the being “born of God”—comes through faith in Jesus (John 3:3, John 1:12-13). When a person is born again through Christ, the natural result is love for others.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it look like to show God’s kind of love in your everyday life?
- How is the love John talks about different from the world’s idea of love?
- Why do you think love is such an important sign of knowing God?
- Can you think of a time when someone showed you this kind of selfless love? How did it affect you?
- How can you grow in showing love to other believers and to people around you?