1 John 4:19 NIV

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

Albert Barnes

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:18-19

1 John 4:18-19. There is no fear in love No slavish or tormenting fear, diffidence, or distrust, can be where love reigns; but perfect, mature love casteth out such fear, because such fear hath torment And so is inconsistent with the happiness of love. He that feareth is not made perfect in love In the sense above explained. Study therefore to increase more and more in that noble affection of love to God, and you will find your happiness increasing in proportion to it. Observe,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:7-21

The character of Christian love (4:7-5:5)It is God’s nature to love. Love in human nature has been spoiled by sin, but when people are born again by the work of God, they learn to love as God loves (7-8). The character of God’s love is seen in his act of giving his Son to die for those who have rebelled against him. They are worthy of death, but Jesus died to bear the judgment of sin on their behalf. As a result they can now have life (9-10). People cannot see God, but they can see that he... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 4:19

Him . The texts omit. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 John 4:19

We love, because he first loved us.Inherent in this epic declaration is the fact that Christ was not crucified in order to persuade God to love people, but because God already loved mankind, the divine love preceding the entire program of redemption, and even more, existing in the heart of God even before the world was. One great purpose of the cross was that of persuading people to receive the salvation God was so willing to give. Another truth evident in this is that, "Our love (whether of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 John 4:19

1 John 4:19. We love him, &c.— Some would read this, Let us therefore love him: and their reasons for it are, because the connection is by this interpretation rendered more easyand obvious; and the word αγαπωμεν, may be indifferently understood, either in the indicative or subjunctive mood: and as the word αγαπα is in the subjunctive mood, 1Jn 4:21 so it seems to be ch. 1Jn 5:1 and therefore the word αγαπωμεν should be so understood in this place. St. John, 1Jn 4:11 infers from God's first... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:19

19. him—omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Translate, We (emphatical: WE on our part) love (in general: love alike Him, and the brethren, and our fellow men), because He (emphatical: answering to "we"; because it was He who) first loved us in sending His Son (Greek aorist of a definite act at a point of time). He was the first to love us: this thought ought to create in us love casting out fear ( :-). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 4:17-19

E. Having Boldness at Christ’s Judgment Seat 4:17-19John drew a conclusion from what he had written about the importance of believers abiding in God. It is the conclusion that he introduced in the theme verse of the body of the epistle: "And now, little children, abide in Him, so that whenever He should appear, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming" (1 John 2:28)."How can a believer know that his love for the Father is being perfected? This paragraph of 1... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 4:19

Our ability to love and our practice of love come from God’s love for us. We need not fear standing before our Judge because we love Him and He loves us. This verse is the climax of the body of this epistle."The ultimate ground of Christian assurance (including confidence on the judgment day, 1 John 4:17) is not to be found in our loving, however ’complete’ (1 John 4:18), but in God’s prior love for us . . ." [Note: Smalley, p. 261. Cf. Dodd, pp. 122-23.] "God always makes the first move in... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:18-19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:7-21

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 4:19

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 John 4:19

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 John 4:19

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:19

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 4:17-19

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 4:19

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