King James Version

What Does 1 John 4:7 Mean?

1 John 4:7 in the King James Version says “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

1 John 4:7 · KJV

Love

Context

5

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

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.

Read 1 John 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. This verse begins John's most concentrated teaching on divine love, establishing love's origin, nature, and evidence. The address "Beloved" (agapētoi) identifies readers as objects of God's love before commanding them to love—we love because we are loved. "Let us love one another" uses the hortatory subjunctive, calling for mutual, reciprocal love within the Christian community. This isn't natural affection but supernatural agapē—self-giving, sacrificial love patterned after God's love.

"For love is of God" (hē agapē ek tou theou estin) declares love's divine origin. Agapē love doesn't arise from human nature or effort but flows from God's nature and works. The preposition ek ("of/from") indicates source and origin—God is love's wellspring. This explains why genuine love between believers is possible: it's not manufactured human sentiment but divine life flowing through redeemed hearts.

"Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" presents love as evidence of regeneration and relationship with God. The present participle "loveth" (agapōn) indicates habitual practice, not isolated acts. "Is born of God" (ek tou theou gegennētai) uses perfect tense—they have been born and remain in that state. "Knoweth God" (ginōskei ton theon) indicates experiential, relational knowledge. This isn't saying love saves, but that love evidences salvation. Those genuinely born of God will love because they've received God's nature (2 Peter 1:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the Greco-Roman world, agapē was an uncommon term for love. Greeks typically used eros (passionate/romantic love), philia (friendship/affection), or storge (family affection). Christians adopted and redefined agapē to describe God's unique, self-giving love demonstrated in Christ. This love wasn't based on the beloved's worth but flowed from the lover's nature. It was revolutionary—loving enemies, outcasts, and sinners not because they deserved it but because God first loved us.

John wrote against proto-Gnostic teachers who claimed spiritual knowledge (gnōsis) while demonstrating no love. They created elite spiritual castes, despising ordinary believers as ignorant. John's test devastates their claims: genuine knowledge of God necessarily produces love. Those lacking love, regardless of claimed mystical experiences or theological sophistication, don't truly know God.

The early church's practical love was noted even by critics. Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363 AD) complained that Christians' care for widows, orphans, strangers, and even enemies made paganism look bad. This love provided powerful apologetic evidence and sustained believers through persecution. It wasn't mere emotion but concrete action—sharing resources, hospitality, caring for sick and dying, refusing abortion and infanticide.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding love's divine origin (not human effort) transform our approach to loving difficult people?
  2. What's the difference between claiming to know God and actually knowing Him as evidenced by love?
  3. How can churches distinguish between genuine agapē love and counterfeit emotional sentimentality or social activism?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ἀγαπητοί,1 of 22

“Beloved”

G27

beloved

ἀγαπῶν2 of 22

“let us love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

ἀλλήλους3 of 22

“one another”

G240

one another

ὅτι4 of 22

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἡ5 of 22
G3588

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

ἀγάπη6 of 22

“love”

G26

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

ἐκ7 of 22

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ8 of 22
G3588

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

Θεόν9 of 22

“God”

G2316

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

ἐστιν10 of 22

“is”

G2076

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

καὶ11 of 22

“and”

G2532

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

πᾶς12 of 22

“every one”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ13 of 22
G3588

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

ἀγαπῶν14 of 22

“let us love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

ἐκ15 of 22

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ16 of 22
G3588

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

Θεόν17 of 22

“God”

G2316

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

γεγέννηται18 of 22

“is born”

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

καὶ19 of 22

“and”

G2532

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

γινώσκει20 of 22

“knoweth”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὸν21 of 22
G3588

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

Θεόν22 of 22

“God”

G2316

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

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 4:7 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 4:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 4:20-5:11 John 4:81 Peter 1:221 John 2:10Galatians 5:222 Timothy 1:7

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 John 4 with CommentaryAll 1 John ChaptersComplete 1 John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes