What does 1 John 4:7 mean?

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

Explanation

1 John 4:7 is a verse from the First Epistle of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The apostle John emphasizes the fundamental Christian principle that God is love, and therefore, those who profess to follow God should also exhibit love, not only in words but also through actions. The phrase “for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” suggests a deep theological connection between the nature of God, the act of loving, and the identity of a true believer. Essentially, it is saying that love is not just a quality or action; it is intrinsic to God’s nature. Furthermore, the ability to love is indicative of a person’s relationship with God – it is both evidence of being “born of God” and of truly knowing Him.

Historical Context

The First Epistle of John was likely written between 85-95 A.D., a time when the early Christian community was facing internal divisions and heretical teachings. One of the primary concerns of this epistle was to combat false doctrines that were circulating and to reaffirm the core beliefs of Christianity, including the nature of Jesus Christ and the importance of love as a hallmark of the faith. The author writes to a group of churches in crisis, hoping to encourage and guide them back to the central truths of their religion.

Theological Insights

From an evangelical perspective, the concept of being “born of God” refers to the spiritual rebirth that Christians believe occurs upon accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. This verse suggests that love is a fruit of this rebirth, and hence, indicating a transformation of one’s nature to be more like that of God’s. Theologically, the verse can also be seen as advocating for the idea that to truly understand God and His intentions, one must actively love, since God Himself is love.

From a more liberal Christian standpoint, the verse might be interpreted as a call to inclusivity and unconditional love, where knowing God is not about dogma or religious rites, but about emulating God’s love in interpersonal relationships.

Practical Applications

In contemporary life, this verse can serve as a guiding principle for how to interact with others, advocating for kindness, charity, and compassion. It suggests that one should approach all people with love, and in doing so, they embody the teachings of Christianity. This attitude can have far-reaching implications, from helping those in need to fostering forgiveness and reconciliation in strained relationships.

Cross-References

• John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
• James 2:8: “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.”
• Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”

Language Study

The key word in this verse is “love” (Greek: ἀγάπη, agapē). In the Greek language, there are multiple words for love, but agapē refers to a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. This type of love is considered the highest form and is often associated with divine or unconditional love.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within the broader context of ancient religions, the concept of deities being associated with love was not entirely absent. However, the Christian idea that God is defined by love and that His followers should likewise be known for their love was distinct. In Greek mythology, for example, love was personified by deities such as Aphrodite, but these representations of love were often more related to passion or physical desire than the selfless love described in 1 John 4:7.

Scientific Perspectives

From the standpoint of psychology and sociology, love is often studied as an emotion or a social construct that fosters human connection and societal bonding. While scientific perspectives might analyze the behaviors associated with love and attempt to understand its biological basis and social functions, the notion of love as a divine quality or a spiritual evidence of knowing God is outside the scope of empirical science.

Commentaries

Commentators such as Matthew Henry note that love is the great duty of Christians and a mark of their new birth. John Calvin emphasizes that love is evidence of an invisible regeneration by God. Modern commentators might also explore the ways in which this verse has been applied and interpreted through various theological lenses throughout church history but often come back to the central theme that love is the distinguishing characteristic of a Christian.