Bible Verse

1 John 4:19

John writes to believers about the nature of God's love and how it should transform our love for God and others.

"We love because he first loved us."

— 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

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Other Translations

"We love because he first loved us."

— ESV

"We love him, because he first loved us."

— KJV

"We love each other because he loved us first."

— NLT

Understanding the Context

Book Context

1 John 4 emphasizes God is love and how His love casts out fear. This verse explains the foundation and motivation for all Christian love.

Historical Background

Written around 90-95 AD to combat early Gnostic heresies. John emphasizes that genuine love for God and others is evidence of knowing God.

Verse-by-Verse Breakdown

"We love"

'Love' (Greek: agapao) is selfless, sacrificial love—not emotion but action and commitment. Some translations add 'him' (God) or 'each other,' but the simple 'we love' may be intentionally broad—we love at all.

"because"

This word establishes causation. Our love is a response, not initiation. It's not that we loved and earned God's love, but His love produces our ability and desire to love.

"he first loved us"

'First' (protos) emphasizes priority—God's love came before ours, initiated the relationship. 'Loved' is aorist tense—definite action, likely referring to the cross. We love only because He loved us first and enables us to love.

""

This is the gospel in miniature: God's initiating love (grace) produces our responsive love (faith). We don't generate love for God or others independently—His love for us is the source and power.

Key Themes

God's initiating loveResponsive loveGrace before faithLove empowered by GodPriority of God's love

Applying This Verse to Your Life

  1. 1

    Remember your love for God and others is response to His love for you—let this remove pride.

  2. 2

    When struggling to love difficult people, return to experiencing God's love for you first.

  3. 3

    Share the gospel emphasizing God's initiating love, not human effort to love God.

  4. 4

    Let God's love for you fuel your love for others rather than trying to manufacture love yourself.

  5. 5

    Thank God that He loved you first when you were unlovable.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does understanding that God loved you first change how you love others?
  • Are you trying to earn God's love, or resting in the fact that He loved you first?
  • Who do you find difficult to love? How can God's love for you enable you to love them?
  • How have you experienced God's initiating love in your life?

Related Scripture

Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son."

1 John 4:10

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Ephesians 2:4-5

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions."

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