Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us - This passage is susceptible of two explanations; either.(1)That the fact that he first loved us is the “ground” or “reason” why we love him, or.(2)That as a matter of fact we have been brought to love him in consequence of the love which he has manifested toward us, though the real ground of our love may be the excellency of his own character.If the former be the meaning, and if that were the only ground of love, then it would be mere selfishness,... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:19
God's love and ours. "We love, because he first loved us." I. GOD LOVES . He is not an impassive, unemotional, passionless Being. From all eternity there was a tender, infinite, ineffable love between the Father and the Son. When the Scriptures represent God as having a heart, as pitying, sorrowing, repenting, loving, hating, there is a true meaning in the representations. If we take the corresponding emotion in ourselves, purge it from evil, elevate and sublime it as much as... read more