Easter Season · Fifth Sunday of Easter · Year B
1 John 4:7-21
God’s Love and Ours
April 25, 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
Reads the great God is love passage and how perfect love casts out fear and grounds our loving.
1 John 4 Commentary: Abiding in God and His Love Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse-by-verse evangelical treatment of God's love shown in the Son and love as the mark of knowing God.
1 John 4:7 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.
1 John 4:7-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on 'God is love,' perfect love casting out fear, and loving because God first loved us.
Background & Word Study
1 John 4:7 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word study of agape (love) and the claim that God is love throughout the passage.
Books of 1-3 John Summary: Overview Video BibleProject
Animated overview of the Johannine letters and their central theme that love comes from God.
1 John Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary introduction to the letter's setting and themes for background on its love ethic.
What is the Holy Spirit in the Bible? BibleProject
Explainer video on the Spirit background behind verse 13, that he has given us of his Spirit.
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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