1 John 4:8
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that loveth not - As already described, knoweth not God - has no experimental knowledge of him. God is love - An infinite fountain of benevolence and beneficence to every human being. He hates no thing that he has made. He cannot hate, because he is love. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends his rain on the just and the unjust. He has made no human being for perdition, nor ever rendered it impossible, by any necessitating decree, for any fallen soul to find mercy. He has given the fullest proof of his love to the whole human race by the incarnation of his Son, who tasted death for every man. How can a decree of absolute, unconditional reprobation, of the greater part or any part of the human race, stand in the presence of such a text as this? It has been well observed that, although God is holy, just, righteous, etc., he is never called holiness, justice, etc., in the abstract, as he is here called Love. This seems to be the essence of the Divine nature, and all other attributes to be only modifications of this.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
knoweth not--Greek aorist: not only knoweth not now, but never knew, has not once for all known God. God is love--There is no Greek article to love, but to God; therefore we cannot translate, Love is God. God is fundamentally and essentially LOVE: not merely is loving, for then John's argument would not stand; for the conclusion from the premises then would be this, This man is not loving: God is loving; therefore he knoweth not God IN SO FAR AS GOD IS LOVING; still he might know Him in His other attributes. But when we take love as God's essence, the argument is sound: This man doth not love, and therefore knows not love: God is essentially love, therefore he knows not God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that loveth not, knoweth not God,.... If a man loves not the children of God, those that are born of him, he does not know, so as to love God, the Father of them; for to pretend love to God, the begetter of them, whom he sees not, and not love those who are begotten by him, and are visible objects of respect, is a contradiction, and cannot be reconciled: see Jo1 4:20. This clause is left out in the Ethiopic version, and is transposed in the Syriac version, which reads the text thus, "for God, is love, and whoever loveth not, knoweth not God". By which reading, the following reason stands in close connection with Jo1 4:7. For God is love; he loves himself; there is an entire love between the three divine Persons, who are in the strictest, and in the most inconceivable and inexpressible manner affected to each other; their love is natural and essential: God loves all his creatures as such, nor does he hate any of them, as so considered; and he bears an everlasting, unchangeable, and invariable love to his elect in Christ Jesus; of which an instance is given in the following verses, and is a reason why the saints should love one another; that they might be like their heavenly Father, by whom they are begotten, and of whom they are born, and whose children they are; seeing he is love itself, and in his breast is nothing else but love. So the Shekinah is, by the Cabalistic Jews (t), called "love". (t) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 15. 1. & Lex. Cabal. p. 43, 44.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:8 God is love, the source and embodiment of all love. This concept and the concept that “God is light” (1:5) form the foundation on which John writes this letter.
1 John 4:8
Love Comes from God
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Mental Attitude
By Kathryn Kuhlman13K12:48AttitudePRO 23:7MAT 7:12MAT 22:39MRK 11:24ROM 12:2PHP 2:31JN 4:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of one's attitude in shaping their life. He quotes Proverbs 23:7, which states that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are. The preacher highlights that the desire for love, friendship, and admiration from others must begin within oneself. He encourages self-reflection and taking inventory of one's own character. The sermon also emphasizes the power of God and how one's attitude can limit or unleash that power in their life.
Christ in Us
By Erlo Stegen5.8K47:12Christ In UsMAT 6:33JHN 14:6ROM 8:311CO 13:3HEB 9:121JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of Sundar Singh, a 14-year-old boy who had a profound encounter with Jesus. Sundar had been searching for something beyond the teachings of his Christian teachers at school. One night, he prayed for God to reveal Himself, and to his surprise, Jesus appeared before him, showing him His nail-pierced hands. This encounter convinced Sundar that Jesus was the true Savior, and he experienced an overwhelming peace in his heart. The speaker emphasizes that when Christ becomes a reality in one's life, He is not a dead idol but a living God who leads us on the right path and fills us with truth and life.
Don't Slander Your Heavenly Father
By David Wilkerson4.8K37:27SlanderJOS 23:14NEH 8:10PSA 78:18PSA 78:20MAT 6:33ROM 15:41JN 4:8In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his lifelong commitment to serving God since the age of 8. He emphasizes that God's promises have never failed him and encourages the congregation to trust in God's faithfulness. The preacher reminds the audience to immerse themselves in the Word of God to grow stronger in their faith. He also addresses the issue of slander, urging the listeners to confess and repent of any negative thoughts or doubts about God's love and provision. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God is always with His people and will meet all their needs.
Addressing the Curse of Poverty - Part 1
By Jackie Pullinger2.7K1:06:11PovertyEXO 24:17EXO 33:13EXO 33:19EXO 34:6MAT 6:33ROM 9:151JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker discusses the kindness of God and its impact on our lives. He refers to the story of Moses in Exodus 24, where Moses enters into a fiery encounter with God and experiences intimacy with Him. The speaker emphasizes that God has chosen to work His purpose through mankind and invites us to participate in His plans. He highlights three battles we face in life: knowing the Savior, surrendering control of our lives to God, and determining our future purpose. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that our purpose is to touch people with the kindness and love of God.
Freedom of Spirit
By Norman Grubb2.5K1:06:34Holy SpiritMAT 4:4JHN 3:16ROM 1:5ROM 10:17ROM 16:26COL 1:231JN 4:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the nature of the liquid we consume. He compares bad liquid to rock, symbolizing negative influences, and good liquid to mercy and Jesus, representing positive influences. The preacher also discusses the significance of being a branch of the vine, highlighting that it is not about the branches themselves, but rather the tree that comes through them. He emphasizes that we are more than just a temple or a branch, but vessels through which God operates. Lastly, the preacher mentions the lesson Paul learned about the cross of Christ, recognizing that there are two operations in the cross - the shedding of blood and the sacrifice of the body.
What Love Is This? - Part 9
By Dave Hunt2.3K02:29GEN 25:23MAT 18:14JHN 3:16ACT 17:11ROM 5:8EPH 2:41TI 2:32PE 3:91JN 4:8This sermon addresses the prophecy of 'The elder shall serve the younger,' focusing on Jacob and Esau and the nations descended from them. It delves into arguments against the Calvinist perspective, emphasizing the goal to prove God's love for all and the misrepresentation of God's character. The core message is about understanding God's love, kindness, and desire for all to be saved, urging believers to seek the truth and stand up for the true nature of God.
The Greatness of God (Isaiah 6) - Part 4
By Paul Washer2.1K46:16MAT 6:33ROM 3:23EPH 2:81JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the sufficiency of Jesus' death for our salvation. He refers to Paul's transformation in Romans 12, where Paul urges believers to live in response to God's mercy. The speaker also highlights the importance of deep theology found in passages like Ephesians 1-3, which reveal the eternal and otherworldly nature of God. He points out that many Americans are spiritually starving, just as physical diets can manifest spiritual hunger. The speaker encourages studying Scripture and the writings of faithful ministers to cultivate a greater understanding of God's work in Christ, rather than relying on superficial Christian books. He concludes by emphasizing the power of God's right hand, symbolizing His triumph through His Son, and expressing a willingness to suffer for the sake of others.
The Antichrist Unveiled
By Richard Bennett2.0K1:24:05ISA 55:1ZEP 3:17MAT 6:33ROM 3:27EPH 1:6EPH 2:81JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the message of having a personal relationship with God. He highlights the concept of God being right and without darkness, and the importance of walking in the light and having fellowship with one another. The speaker also mentions the significance of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins and the cleansing power of His blood. Additionally, he discusses the pagan origins of the title "supreme high priest" given to the Pope and encourages listeners to stand for the truth of the gospel.
1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 6
By Richard Wurmbrand1.9K06:25JHN 3:3ROM 6:4EPH 4:22COL 3:141JN 4:8This sermon delves into the themes of repentance, transformation, and the power of love. It explores the contrast between violence and tenderness, highlighting the impact of genuine love and the need for a spiritual rebirth. The story illustrates the profound change that can occur when one encounters true love and chooses to embrace a new way of living, ultimately leading to a powerful act of baptism and conversion.
81 Days in the Usa: The Current State of America
By Edgar Reich1.5K14:12AmericaJER 18:8MAT 6:33EPH 4:12TI 3:161JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance and returning to the first works as instructed by Jesus in Revelation. The speaker shares personal experiences of witnessing miracles through faith and obedience in Canada. However, the speaker also expresses concern about the lack of tears and compassion for the lost in Western Christianity, contrasting it with the deep devotion and tears displayed by believers in persecuted nations. The speaker calls for repentance, prayer, and a return to the Word of God, urging Christians to rely on the Holy Spirit and actively share the love of God with others. The sermon concludes with a mention of a book written to help believers return to the early church principles and a reminder that it is freely available.
(1 Corinthians) Overview to Chapter 13
By Brian Brodersen1.5K50:22MAT 6:33JHN 3:16ROM 13:8ROM 13:101CO 13:41JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preaching about the love of God to a group of people. Initially, he felt guilty for emphasizing God's love instead of His judgment and hatred of sin. However, he later realizes the importance of demonstrating God's love through his own life. The speaker also shares a story of a friend who had a profound impact on his coworkers by living out his faith. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the significance of both preaching and living out the message of God's love and judgment.
The Indisputable Evidence of a Great Church
By Carter Conlon1.4K47:07JHN 13:341JN 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of love as the indisputable evidence of a great church, highlighting the need for genuine love that reflects God's love for us. The speaker challenges the congregation to put away childish behaviors, grievances, and prejudices, and to embrace a supernatural love that can only come from God. The focus is on cultivating a deep, transformative love for one another that marks Times Square Church as a truly great church in the eyes of God.
General Spiritual Balance
By George Verwer1.1K46:48BalanceMAT 22:39ROM 12:31CO 13:4EPH 4:2PHP 4:13COL 2:81JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenge of finding a balance between living a simple lifestyle and using modern methods in world missions. He shares his personal struggle with this issue, including the use of technology like television and computers in their ministry. The speaker emphasizes the importance of spiritual balance and not conforming to a cookie-cutter evangelical mindset. He also highlights the need for humility and integrity when handling finances for the cause of Jesus Christ.
Book of Acts Series - Part 7 | the Hope
By Jim Cymbala1.1K41:43Book Of ActsACT 2:38ACT 3:191TH 1:91TI 3:152TI 3:16TIT 2:111JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker describes a powerful and transformative experience they had. They felt a sense of awe and excitement as they were lifted up into the sky, witnessing the earth becoming smaller below them. They heard people rejoicing and proclaiming that Jesus had come. The speaker emphasizes the importance of going through trials and challenges in order to reach the other side, drawing a parallel to the biblical verse about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. They also highlight the idea that true greatness will be revealed when Jesus returns, contrasting it with the fame and success of worldly figures.
1 John 3
By Robert F. Adcock1.1K46:36MAT 22:37MAT 22:39MRK 12:30MRK 12:37ROM 12:11JN 3:11JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of showing love through actions rather than just words. They reference Mark chapter 12, where Jesus describes that love is not about performing rituals, but about obeying God's commands. The speaker also highlights the sacrificial love of God, demonstrated through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. They emphasize that divine love is immeasurable and can only be understood through the work of the Holy Spirit in a person's heart. The sermon concludes with the reminder that God's love will ultimately bring believers home to heaven.
Npg Radio 1980 #3 - Radio Interview
By Norman Grubb1.0K1:06:09Radio InterviewMAT 6:33JHN 5:30ROM 7:7ROM 7:9GAL 2:202PE 1:41JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding that as Christians, we are not meant to live the Christian life on our own. Instead, we are containers for Christ to live through us. Many Christians struggle and feel defeated because they try to live the Christian life in their own strength. The speaker encourages listeners to recognize that it is Christ who must live the Christian life in and through us. This is achieved through a union with Christ, allowing His nature to be expressed in and through us.
If Any Man Love Not the Lord
By Rolfe Barnard84640:15MAT 6:33LUK 14:26JHN 14:15ROM 8:91CO 16:22GAL 5:221JN 4:8In this sermon, the preacher recounts a story about a young boy who walked a long distance and then suddenly died. The preacher emphasizes that he does not know if the boy was saved or not, but he believes that the boy asked a good question about salvation. The preacher then leads the congregation in a song and encourages them to stand and pray. He mentions that some preachers may end up in hell and that God answers the prayers of unsaved people. The sermon concludes with the preacher expressing his weariness and longing for heaven.
7 Things We Desperately Need
By Shane Idleman81042:50MAT 28:19LUK 15:11JHN 14:6ACT 1:8PHP 3:8JAS 5:161PE 1:161JN 4:8This sermon emphasizes the foundational principles of the Church, highlighting the desperate need for truth, love, discipleship, holiness, prayer, power, and ultimately, Christ. It calls for a return to the basics of faith, repentance, and a deep relationship with God, stressing the importance of embracing God's truth, love, and power through prayer and a life surrendered to Christ.
Love
By Bill McLeod80842:16LoveROM 13:8ROM 13:10EPH 1:15COL 1:41TI 1:51JN 4:81JN 4:16In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a man named Justin who led a member of a notorious gang to Christ without knowing his identity. Later, the gang members confront Justin and physically assault him as a punishment. Despite this, Justin continues to show love and kindness to his neighbors, even when they reject him. The speaker emphasizes that love is the answer to dealing with evil and that God's nature is love. The sermon references Bible verses from Romans and 1 John to support the message.
The Walk of Faith - Part 2
By Larry Ainsworth68958:26MAT 4:19MAT 6:33MAT 8:18MAT 8:22JHN 3:161JN 4:8REV 1:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation in the Word of God. He observes that many Christians today lack guidance and fail to apply the teachings of the Bible in their lives. The preacher then introduces six biblical characters, including men and women, who serve as examples for the congregation to learn from. He highlights the lessons to be learned from each character, such as commitment, faith, and prioritizing God. The sermon encourages the audience to listen to the Word of God and not solely rely on the preacher's words.
How to Satisfy Your Unmet Need
By David Wilkerson6821:00:22Christian LifeJHN 3:16ROM 5:8EPH 2:41JN 4:8In this sermon, the preacher focuses on First John, verse 16. The verse emphasizes the understanding and belief in the love that God has for us. It highlights the fact that God is love and anyone who truly loves the world will experience eternal life through God. The preacher repeats the phrase "And we have understood and believed the love that God had to us" multiple times to emphasize the importance of comprehending and accepting God's love. The sermon encourages listeners to reflect on the depth of God's love and to have faith in His love for humanity.
No Longer Loveless
By Basilea Schlink66004:35Radio ShowMAT 5:44MAT 22:37ROM 12:21ROM 13:101CO 13:2HEB 4:151JN 4:8In this sermon by Basilea Schlink titled "No Longer Loveless," she emphasizes the importance of love in our lives and how God can transform our relationships. She shares that love is the greatest thing in both time and eternity. Basilea Schlink also mentions the consecration of a nursing home in Canaan, where the aim is to let love be victorious in all tensions of everyday life. She reminds us that Jesus responded to his enemies with love and encourages us to reflect God's image of love in all our words, actions, and being.
The Mystery of the Bride and Bridegroom - Jonathan Cahn
By From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons60438:59Divine LoveSpiritual BetrothalRadioEPH 5:251JN 4:8Jonathan Cahn explores the profound mystery of the relationship between the Bride and Bridegroom, illustrating how our existence is rooted in love and the divine covenant between God and humanity. He emphasizes that life is a journey of seeking love, culminating in the sacred union of the Bride and Bridegroom, which symbolizes our relationship with God. Cahn draws parallels between ancient Hebrew wedding customs and our spiritual betrothal to Christ, highlighting the importance of preparation, commitment, and the promise of eternal joy. He encourages believers to embrace their identity as the Bride, called to love and be loved by the Bridegroom, who is God Himself. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep, personal connection with God, reminding us that we are created for love and destined for a divine union.
God Is Light and God Is Love
By Zac Poonen58655:05GEN 3:11GEN 3:15PSA 90:17MAT 5:48MAT 7:21ROM 11:22JAS 1:221JN 1:51JN 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the dual nature of God, focusing on His perfect holiness and His perfect love. It delves into the need for believers to have a balanced view of God's character, recognizing His kindness and severity. The message highlights the significance of knowing God personally, seeking to be saved from un-Christlike attitudes and behaviors, and allowing the beauty of the Lord to shine through our lives by aligning with His character.
Cd Gv498 Why I Joined Ad 2000
By George Verwer58100:00MAT 22:37ROM 12:91CO 13:41CO 14:1EPH 4:151PE 4:81JN 4:8In this video, George Verwer, the International Coordinator of Operation Mobilization, shares his reasons for becoming involved in the 82,000 and beyond movement for the mobilization of new missionaries. He acknowledges the criticism and misunderstandings surrounding the movement but emphasizes the importance of following God's word and building on its foundation. Verwer mentions various teachings and books that have influenced his perspective, including the emphasis on love and integrity. He also highlights the complexity of the church and the idea that failure can lead to success in God's work.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that loveth not - As already described, knoweth not God - has no experimental knowledge of him. God is love - An infinite fountain of benevolence and beneficence to every human being. He hates no thing that he has made. He cannot hate, because he is love. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends his rain on the just and the unjust. He has made no human being for perdition, nor ever rendered it impossible, by any necessitating decree, for any fallen soul to find mercy. He has given the fullest proof of his love to the whole human race by the incarnation of his Son, who tasted death for every man. How can a decree of absolute, unconditional reprobation, of the greater part or any part of the human race, stand in the presence of such a text as this? It has been well observed that, although God is holy, just, righteous, etc., he is never called holiness, justice, etc., in the abstract, as he is here called Love. This seems to be the essence of the Divine nature, and all other attributes to be only modifications of this.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
knoweth not--Greek aorist: not only knoweth not now, but never knew, has not once for all known God. God is love--There is no Greek article to love, but to God; therefore we cannot translate, Love is God. God is fundamentally and essentially LOVE: not merely is loving, for then John's argument would not stand; for the conclusion from the premises then would be this, This man is not loving: God is loving; therefore he knoweth not God IN SO FAR AS GOD IS LOVING; still he might know Him in His other attributes. But when we take love as God's essence, the argument is sound: This man doth not love, and therefore knows not love: God is essentially love, therefore he knows not God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that loveth not, knoweth not God,.... If a man loves not the children of God, those that are born of him, he does not know, so as to love God, the Father of them; for to pretend love to God, the begetter of them, whom he sees not, and not love those who are begotten by him, and are visible objects of respect, is a contradiction, and cannot be reconciled: see Jo1 4:20. This clause is left out in the Ethiopic version, and is transposed in the Syriac version, which reads the text thus, "for God, is love, and whoever loveth not, knoweth not God". By which reading, the following reason stands in close connection with Jo1 4:7. For God is love; he loves himself; there is an entire love between the three divine Persons, who are in the strictest, and in the most inconceivable and inexpressible manner affected to each other; their love is natural and essential: God loves all his creatures as such, nor does he hate any of them, as so considered; and he bears an everlasting, unchangeable, and invariable love to his elect in Christ Jesus; of which an instance is given in the following verses, and is a reason why the saints should love one another; that they might be like their heavenly Father, by whom they are begotten, and of whom they are born, and whose children they are; seeing he is love itself, and in his breast is nothing else but love. So the Shekinah is, by the Cabalistic Jews (t), called "love". (t) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 15. 1. & Lex. Cabal. p. 43, 44.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:8 God is love, the source and embodiment of all love. This concept and the concept that “God is light” (1:5) form the foundation on which John writes this letter.