1 John 4:8
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Read in Context
6We 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.
7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9In 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.
10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Understanding This Verse
John explains that love is central to God's nature and should characterize believers.
Understanding that God is love transforms how we relate to Him and others.
Compare Translations
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
“he who is not loving did not know God, because God is love.”
“He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love.”
Cross References
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Jesus explains sacrificial love to His disciples before His crucifixion.