1 John 4:19

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
We love because He first loved us.
KJV
We love him, because he first loved us.
WEB
We love him, because he first loved us.
ASV
We love, because he first loved us.
DARBY
*We* love because *he* has first loved us.
BLB
We love because He first loved us.
ÅB
Vi elsker fordi han elsket oss først.
OTB
Vi elsker Ham bare fordi Han elsket oss først.
B1930
Vi elsker fordi han elsket oss først.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 John 4:10

    Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

    Read in context
  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

    Read in context
  • John 15:16

    Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

    Read in context
  • Titus 3:3–5

    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

    Read in context
  • Luke 7:47

    Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

    Read in context
  • Ephesians 2:3–5

    Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

    Read in context
  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

    Read in context