Easter Season · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year B
1 John 4:11-16
God’s Love and Ours
May 2, 2027
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 Working Preacher
Lectionary commentary on God's love abiding in believers who love one another.
1 John 4 Commentary Enduring Word
Verse-by-verse commentary on love as proof that we abide in God.
1 John 4:7-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on God's love perfected in mutual love.
1 John 4 - Haydock Commentary Online Haydock
Catholic verse-by-verse commentary on God's love abiding in believers.
Background & Word Study
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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