Ordinary Time · The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus · Year A
1 John 4:7-16
God’s Love and Ours
June 12, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.” (1 John 4:7)
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.
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Commentary
Commentary on 1 John 4:7-21 (Fifth Sunday of Easter)Commentary on 1 Jn 4:7-21 (Fifth Sunday of Easter) Working Preacher
The lectionary voice on God is love, covering this reading in Eastertide.
1 John 4 Commentary1 Jn 4 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse study of God is love and the sending of the Son.
1 John 4:7 Commentaries1 Jn 4:7 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on love that comes from God.
Barnes' Notes: 1 John 4Barnes' Notes: 1 Jn 4 StudyLight
A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.
Background & Word Study
1 John 4 (Douay-Rheims with Haydock)1 Jn 4 (Douay-Rheims with Haydock) New Advent · Catholic Encyclopedia
The Catholic text with Haydock's notes on God is love.
Books of 1-3 John OverviewBooks of 1-3 Jn Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the letters of John on love and abiding.
1 John 4:7 Interlinear1 Jn 4:7 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word of the call to love one another.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does it mean that God is love?
God showed his love by sending his only Son so that we might live through him; because he first loved us, those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them.
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