God’s Love and Our Love

There is little agreement among those who have made a serious study of 1 John as to how to divide 1 John 4:7–5:4, but most have understood 4:7–12 to center around God’s love for us and, in response, our love for one another. It is likely that the opponents of the Elder had stressed their love for God (cf. 4:10, 20), their devotion, piety, and mystical spirituality (cf. 1:6, 8, 10; 2:4, 6, 9; 3:18; 4:1). But the Elder thinks that it is God’s love for human beings which is foundational. It is the basis of love for one another and of any claim to love for God.

4:7  Love for one another was the writer’s theme in 2:9–11 and 3:11–18, and it will be treated one more time in 4:19–5:4. The writer’s style is to return often to his main topics for further exploration. This is al…