King James Version

What Does 1 John 4:10 Mean?

1 John 4:10 in the King James Version says “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1 John 4:10 · KJV

Love

Context

8

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9

In 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.

10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. This verse defines authentic love by contrasting its source and demonstrating its nature. "Herein is love" (en toutō estin hē agapē) points to love's true definition and demonstration—not in abstract concept but in concrete historical action. John immediately establishes that love's initiative lies with God, not humanity: "not that we loved God, but that he loved us."

This demolishes any notion that our love for God is the foundation of relationship. We didn't seek God; He sought us (Romans 5:8, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"). Our love is responsive, not initiatory. This eliminates human boasting and grounds salvation entirely in God's grace. Sinners dead in trespasses don't naturally love God—they're hostile to Him (Romans 8:7). Only God's prevenient love makes our love possible.

The demonstration of God's love follows: "and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." "Sent" (apesteilen) echoes the incarnation's purposefulness—the Father sent the Son on a saving mission (cf. John 3:16). "Propitiation" (hilasmon) is crucial: Christ's death satisfied God's wrath against sin, turning aside deserved judgment. This isn't pagan appeasement of angry deity by frightened humans, but God Himself providing the sacrifice that satisfies His own justice. Love and justice meet at the cross—God's love provided what His justice required. This propitiatory sacrifice "for our sins" (peri tōn hamartiōn hēmōn) dealt definitively with sin's penalty, providing complete redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of propitiation was familiar in the ancient world through pagan sacrifices intended to appease angry gods. However, biblical propitiation is fundamentally different: God Himself provides the sacrifice. In pagan systems, humans offer sacrifices to placate divine anger. In Christianity, God sends His own Son as the sacrifice that satisfies His holy justice. This demonstrates both God's righteousness (He doesn't simply overlook sin) and His love (He provides the payment Himself).

Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed this—the Day of Atonement's kapporeth (mercy seat) where blood was sprinkled to atone for sin (Leviticus 16). Romans 3:25 identifies Christ as the ultimate hilastērion (propitiation/mercy seat). Hebrews develops this extensively: Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated, insufficient animal sacrifices.

Liberal theology often rejects propitiation, viewing it as divine child abuse or portraying God as vindictive. But Scripture insists God's wrath against sin is real and must be satisfied—not arbitrarily dismissed. The Father sending the Son wasn't abuse; it was the Trinity's unified plan of redemption. The Son willingly offered Himself (John 10:18). God's love is demonstrated precisely in providing propitiation Himself rather than demanding it from helpless sinners.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God's initiative in love (not ours) transform our understanding of salvation?
  2. Why was propitiation (satisfying God's wrath) necessary? Couldn't God simply forgive without payment?
  3. How does the cross demonstrate both God's love and His justice simultaneously?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἐν1 of 26

“Herein”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τούτῳ2 of 26
G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

ἐστὶν3 of 26

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡ4 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπη5 of 26

“love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

οὐχ6 of 26

“that”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ὅτι7 of 26

“not”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἡμεῖς8 of 26

“we”

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

ἠγάπησεν9 of 26

“he loved”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὸν10 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεόν,11 of 26

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀλλ'12 of 26

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ὅτι13 of 26

“not”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

αὐτὸς14 of 26
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἠγάπησεν15 of 26

“he loved”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

ἡμᾶς16 of 26

“us”

G2248

us

καὶ17 of 26

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπέστειλεν18 of 26

“sent”

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

τὸν19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸν20 of 26

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

αὐτοῦ21 of 26
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἱλασμὸν22 of 26

“to be the propitiation”

G2434

atonement, i.e., (concretely) an expiator

περὶ23 of 26

“for”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τῶν24 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτιῶν25 of 26

“sins”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ἡμῶν26 of 26

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 4:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 4:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 2:4-5Romans 5:8-101 John 4:191 John 2:2John 15:161 John 4:8-9

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