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1 John 4 · a question people ask

"love is of God" (4:7). What does this chapter say of God’s own love?

In the text

Among other things, it says how it was revealed: "By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his only born Son into the world that we might live through him." (4:9). And it says, "We know and have believed the love which God has for us." (4:16). These notes explain these verses no further than their own words.

The verses

“By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his only born Son into the world that we might live through him.”
1 John 4:9 · World English Bible
“We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.”
1 John 4:16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 John 4

1 John 4: Love is of God

Both verses in this chapter that open with Beloved and call for love of one another give a reason in the same verse: "for love is of God" (4:7), and "if God loved us in this way" (4:11).

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Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions