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1 John 4:8

God's loveLove for others

6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

9 This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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

Compare

BSB
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
KJV
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
WEB
He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love.
ASV
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
DARBY
He that loves not has not known God; for God is love.
BLB
The one not loving has not known God, because God is love.
ÅB
Den som ikke elsker, kjenner ikke Gud; for Gud er kjærlighet.
OTB
Den som ikke elsker, har ikke lært Gud å kjenne, for Gud er kjærlighet.
B1930
Den som ikke elsker, kjenner ikke Gud; for Gud er kjærlighet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Short explanation

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. John ties love for God and love for people closely together.

Context: John writes about loving one another.

See also: 1 John 4:19, John 3:16

The explanation was written by an AI and has not yet been reviewed by a person. All explanations

Cross references

  • 1 John 4:16

    And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

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  • 1 John 4:7

    Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 86:15

    But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 86:5

    For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.

    Read in context

  • Ephesians 2:4

    But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

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  • Exodus 34:6–7

    Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,

    Read in context

  • 1 John 1:5

    And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

    Read in context