CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 John 4:10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/4-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/62_1Jn_04_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 4:10 - Love Comes from God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_john/4-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_john/4-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_john/">1 John</a> > <a href="/1_john/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_john/4-9.htm" title="1 John 4:9">◄</a> 1 John 4:10 <a href="/1_john/4-11.htm" title="1 John 4:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_john/4.htm">New International Version</a> This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/nlt/1_john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. <a href="/esv/1_john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son as a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/kjv/1_john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/nkjv/1_john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/nasb_/1_john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/nasb/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/nasb77/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/lsb/1_john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/amp/1_john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath]. <a href="/csb/1_john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/hcsb/1_john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/asv/1_john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/cev/1_john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. <a href="/erv/1_john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/gwt/1_john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins. <a href="/gnt/1_john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven. <a href="/isv/1_john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/msb/1_john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/net/1_john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/nheb/1_john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/wbt/1_john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> This is love indeed--we did not love God, but He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/web/1_john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> in this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son [as] the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son as a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/ylt/1_john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> in this is the love, not that we loved God, but that He did love us, and did send His Son a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/slt/1_john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son a propitiation for our sins.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/cpdv/1_john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/nabre/1_john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> In this is love: it was not that we loved God, but he has loved us, and he sent us his Son, the atonement for the sake of our sins.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> In this is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. <a href="/godbey/1_john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> In him is divine love, not because we loved God with divine love, but because he loved us with divine love, and sent his Son an expiation for our sins. <a href="/haweis/1_john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Herein is love, not that we have loved God, but that he hath loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiatory sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/mace/1_john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and what heightens his love, was this, that it was not we who first loved God, but it was he that first loved us, and sent his son to expiate our sins. <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> This is love indeed--we did not love God, but He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. <a href="/worrell/1_john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son, to be a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/worsley/1_john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. <a href="/parallel/1_john/4-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlZ5ywDtQGE?start=772" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Love Comes from God</a> …9This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapē (N-NFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">And love</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">consists</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutō (DPro-DNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this:</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmeis (PPro-N1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">we</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: ēgapēkamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">loved</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">He</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: ēgapēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">loved</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/649.htm" title="649: apesteilen (V-AIA-3S) -- From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.">sent</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: Huion (N-AMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">Son</a> <a href="/greek/2434.htm" title="2434: hilasmon (N-AMS) -- A propitiation (of an angry god), atoning sacrifice. Atonement, i.e. an expiator.">as the atoning sacrifice</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">for</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartiōn (N-GFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sins.</a> 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Romans 5:8</a> But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. <a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">1 John 2:2</a> He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. <a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">1 John 3:16</a> By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. <a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-5</a> 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 our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a> God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-19.htm">2 Corinthians 5:19</a> that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a> I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. <a href="/hebrews/9-26.htm">Hebrews 9:26</a> Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. <a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4-5</a> Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. <a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Isaiah 53:10</a> Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. <a href="/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">1 Peter 2:24</a> He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">1 Peter 3:18</a> For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, <a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a> Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.Herein.<a href="/1_john/4-8.htm">1 John 4:8,9</a> He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love… <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1</a> Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.not.<a href="/1_john/4-19.htm">1 John 4:19</a> We love him, because he first loved us.<a href="/deuteronomy/7-7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:7,8</a> The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: … <a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a> Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.and sent.<a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">1 John 2:2</a> And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.<a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Daniel 9:24</a> Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.<a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25,26</a> Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">Atoning</a> <a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">Expiation</a> <a href="/1_john/4-9.htm">Herein</a> <a href="/1_john/1-3.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_john/4-9.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">Propitiation</a> <a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">Sins</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/30-10.htm">Atoning</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Expiation</a> <a href="/1_john/4-17.htm">Herein</a> <a href="/3_john/1-3.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">Love</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Propitiation</a> <a href="/revelation/5-6.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/1_john/5-18.htm">Sins</a><div class="vheading2">1 John 4</div>1. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;</a> 7. <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">and exhorts to brotherly love.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And love consists in this: This phrase introduces the essence of true love, which is foundational to Christian theology. In the biblical context, love is not merely an emotion but an action and commitment. The Greek word used for love here is "agape," which signifies selfless, sacrificial love. This sets the stage for understanding God's nature and His actions towards humanity.not that we loved God, This highlights human inability and the natural state of humanity, which is estranged from God due to sin. <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a> supports this by stating that no one seeks God on their own. It underscores the idea that human love for God is not the starting point; rather, it is a response to His initiative.but that He loved us God's love is proactive and unconditional. This reflects the covenantal love seen throughout the Old Testament, where God consistently reaches out to His people despite their unfaithfulness. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> echoes this sentiment, emphasizing God's love as the motivation for sending His Son.and sent His Son This refers to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, a central tenet of Christian faith. The sending of the Son is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Isaiah 7:14</a> and <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a>, which speak of a coming Savior. It also reflects the Trinitarian relationship within the Godhead, where the Father sends the Son.as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. The term "atoning sacrifice" is translated from the Greek word "hilasmos," which means propitiation or expiation. This concept is rooted in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, particularly the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), where sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the people. Jesus is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices, as described in <a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-14</a>, providing a once-for-all atonement for sin. This underscores the belief in Jesus as the Messiah who reconciles humanity to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a> The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth in his writings. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god_the_father.htm">God the Father</a> The initiator of love, who sent His Son as an expression of His love for humanity. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The Son of God, sent as the atoning sacrifice, demonstrating the ultimate act of love by dying for our sins. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The recipients of John's letter, who were being instructed in the true nature of love and the importance of recognizing Jesus' sacrificial role. 5. <a href="/topical/a/atoning_sacrifice.htm">Atoning Sacrifice</a> Refers to Jesus' sacrificial death, which atones for the sins of humanity, a central event in Christian theology.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_love.htm">Understanding True Love</a> True love originates from God, not from human effort. It is important to recognize that our love for God is a response to His love for us. <a href="/topical/t/the_initiative_of_god's_love.htm">The Initiative of God’s Love</a> God took the first step in loving us by sending His Son. This teaches us about the proactive nature of divine love and challenges us to take initiative in loving others. <a href="/topical/t/the_sacrificial_nature_of_love.htm">The Sacrificial Nature of Love</a> Jesus' role as the atoning sacrifice exemplifies sacrificial love. We are called to emulate this selflessness in our relationships. <a href="/topical/a/assurance_of_salvation.htm">Assurance of Salvation</a> The atoning sacrifice of Jesus provides assurance of forgiveness and salvation, encouraging believers to live confidently in their faith. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_love.htm">Reflecting God’s Love</a> As recipients of God’s love, we are called to reflect that love to others, serving as a testament to God’s transformative power in our lives.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - Let no man think that any higher manifestation of love than this can be found. It is not in any love of man to his Maker, but in his Maker's love to him, that the real nature of love can be perceived. Note the change from perfect to aorist; ἀπέσταλκεν in verse 9 expresses the permanent results of the mission; ἀπέστειλεν here states the mission as an accomplished fact complete in itself. (For ἱλασμός, see on 1 John 2:2.) <a href="/commentaries/1_john/4-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[And] love ἀγάπη (agapē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. consists ἐστὶν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. this: τούτῳ (toutō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. not οὐχ (ouch) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. we ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. loved ἠγαπήκαμεν (ēgapēkamen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. God, Θεόν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. He αὐτὸς (autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. loved ἠγάπησεν (ēgapēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. us ἡμᾶς (hēmas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. sent ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_649.htm">Strong's 649: </a> From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Son Υἱὸν (Huion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. [as an] atoning sacrifice ἱλασμὸν (hilasmon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2434.htm">Strong's 2434: </a> A propitiation (of an angry god), atoning sacrifice. Atonement, i.e. an expiator. for περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. sins. ἁμαρτιῶν (hamartiōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/4-10.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 4:10 In this is love not that we (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/4-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 4:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 4:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/4-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 4:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 4:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>