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1 John 4:8

God's loveLove for others

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

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.

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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 known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

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  • 1 John 4:7

    Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 86:15

    But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

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  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

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  • Psalms 86:5

    For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

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  • Ephesians 2:4

    But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

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  • Exodus 34:6–7

    And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

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  • 1 John 1:5

    This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

    Read in context