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<!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 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/4-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/62_1Jn_04_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 4:12 - Love Comes from God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us." /><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/4-12.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/4-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/4-11.htm" title="1 John 4:11">◄</a> 1 John 4:12 <a href="/1_john/4-13.htm" title="1 John 4:13">►</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> No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. <a href="/nlt/1_john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. <a href="/esv/1_john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time; if we should love one another, God abides in us, and His love is having been perfected in us. <a href="/kjv/1_john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/nkjv/1_john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. <a href="/nasb_/1_john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/nasb/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/nasb77/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/lsb/1_john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/amp/1_john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time. But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us. <a href="/csb/1_john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. <a href="/hcsb/1_john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/asv/1_john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: <a href="/cev/1_john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts. <a href="/erv/1_john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: <a href="/gwt/1_john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/gnt/1_john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us. <a href="/isv/1_john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/net/1_john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/nheb/1_john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. <a href="/wbt/1_john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> No one has ever yet seen God. If we love one another, God continues in union with us, and His love in all its perfection is in our hearts.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/1_john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/web/1_john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> no one has ever seen God; if we may love one another, God remains in us, and His love is having been perfected in us; <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time; if we should love one another, God abides in us, and His love is having been perfected in us. <a href="/ylt/1_john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> God no one hath ever seen; if we may love one another, God in us doth remain, and His love is having been perfected in us; <a href="/slt/1_john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> None has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is completed in us.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. <a href="/cpdv/1_john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/nabre/1_john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> No person has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is fulfilled in us.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/godbey/1_john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another with divine love, God abides in us, and his divine love has been made perfect in us. <a href="/haweis/1_john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/mace/1_john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> no man hath ever seen God, if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and our love for him is then sincere. <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> No one has ever yet seen God. If we love one another, God continues in union with us, and His love in all its perfection is in our hearts. <a href="/worrell/1_john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> No one has ever beheld God. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and His love has been perfected in us. <a href="/worsley/1_john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> No one hath ever seen God: but if we love one another, God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us. <a href="/parallel/1_john/4-12.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=790" 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> …11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12<a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">No one</a> <a href="/greek/2300.htm" title="2300: tetheatai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit.">has ever seen</a> <a href="/greek/4455.htm" title="4455: pōpote (Adv) -- At any time, ever. From po and pote; at any time, i.e. at no time."></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/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">but if</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: agapōmen (V-PSA-1P) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">we love</a> <a href="/greek/240.htm" title="240: allēlous (RecPro-AMP) -- One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.">one another,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: menei (V-PIA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">remains</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/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- 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/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: 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.">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.">is</a> <a href="/greek/5048.htm" title="5048: teteleiōmenē (V-RPM/P-NFS) -- From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.">perfected</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/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us.</a> 13By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.…<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/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a> No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. <a href="/john/14-23.htm">John 14:23</a> Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">1 John 3:24</a> Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5</a> But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/1_john/4-16.htm">1 John 4:16</a> And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a> If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? <a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">1 John 2:4</a> If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7</a> Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. <a href="/1_john/4-21.htm">1 John 4:21</a> And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. <a href="/1_john/3-11.htm">1 John 3:11</a> This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. <a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a> We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. <a href="/1_john/3-23.htm">1 John 3:23</a> And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. <a href="/1_john/2-10.htm">1 John 2:10</a> Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. <a href="/1_john/4-9.htm">1 John 4:9</a> This 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us.seen.<a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20</a> If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?<a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30</a> And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.<a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a> And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.love one.<a href="/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6</a> 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.See on ch.<a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">1 John 3:24</a> And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.and his.<a href="/1_john/4-17.htm">1 John 4:17,18</a> Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world… See on ch.<a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5</a> But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.<a href="/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13</a> And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">Abides</a> <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">Continues</a> <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/1_john/3-21.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/1_john/4-10.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">Perfection</a> <a href="/1_john/2-18.htm">Time</a> <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">Union</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_john/4-15.htm">Abides</a> <a href="/1_john/4-17.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/1_john/4-15.htm">Continues</a> <a href="/1_john/4-15.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/2_john/1-2.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/1_john/4-16.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/4-17.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/1_john/4-17.htm">Perfection</a> <a href="/3_john/1-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/1_john/4-13.htm">Union</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>No one has ever seen God; This phrase emphasizes the invisibility and transcendence of God. In the Old Testament, God is described as dwelling in unapproachable light (<a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a>) and as a spirit (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>). The statement underscores the idea that God, in His full essence, is beyond human perception. Moses, for instance, was only allowed to see God's back (<a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20-23</a>), highlighting the divine holiness and the limitations of human understanding. This invisibility of God points to the necessity of faith and the revelation of God through Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>).but if we love one another, The call to love one another is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. This love is agape, a selfless, sacrificial love that reflects God's own love for humanity. In the cultural context of the early church, this command was radical, as it transcended social, ethnic, and religious boundaries. The early Christian communities were known for their love and care for one another, which served as a powerful witness to the surrounding society (<a href="/john/13-35.htm">John 13:35</a>). This love is not merely an emotion but an active choice to seek the good of others.God remains in us, The indwelling of God is a profound mystery and a promise of the New Covenant. In the Old Testament, God's presence was often associated with the temple or the tabernacle, but through Christ, believers become the temple of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a>). This indwelling signifies a personal and communal relationship with God, made possible through the atoning work of Jesus. It is a fulfillment of the prophecy in <a href="/ezekiel/36-27.htm">Ezekiel 36:27</a>, where God promises to put His Spirit within His people. This presence empowers believers to live out the commandments of God, including the command to love.and His love is perfected in us. The perfection of God's love in believers indicates a process of maturation and completion. This does not imply flawlessness but rather the fulfillment of God's purpose in us. As believers grow in love, they reflect more of God's character and intentions for humanity. This process is akin to sanctification, where the Holy Spirit works within to conform believers to the image of Christ (<a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a>). The perfecting of love is also a testimony to the world of God's transformative power, as seen in the unity and love within the body of Christ (<a href="/john/17-23.htm">John 17:23</a>).<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' closest disciples, known for his emphasis on love and truth. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure in this verse, whose unseen nature is highlighted, yet whose presence is manifested through love. 3. <a href="/topical/b/believers.htm">Believers</a> The recipients of this letter, encouraged to love one another as evidence of God's presence. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The community to which John writes, facing challenges of false teachings and needing reassurance of God's love. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Though not mentioned directly in this verse, He is the ultimate revelation of God and the model of divine love.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_unseen_god.htm">The Unseen God</a> Recognize that while God is invisible, His presence is made known through the love we show to one another. <a href="/topical/m/manifestation_of_god's_presence.htm">Manifestation of God's Presence</a> Understand that loving others is a tangible way to experience and demonstrate God's abiding presence in our lives. <a href="/topical/p/perfection_of_love.htm">Perfection of Love</a> Reflect on how God's love is perfected in us through our actions and relationships, growing more complete as we love others. <a href="/topical/c/community_of_believers.htm">Community of Believers</a> Emphasize the importance of the Christian community in revealing God's love, as we are called to love one another. <a href="/topical/p/practical_love.htm">Practical Love</a> Encourage practical expressions of love in daily life as a testimony of God's work within us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 John 4</a> <a href="/q/was_jesus_a_christian.htm">Can gay individuals enter heaven?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_being_christ-like.htm">What defines being Christ-like?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'perfect_love_casts_out_fear'.htm">What does 'perfect love casts out fear' mean?</a> <a href="/q/is_it_good_because_god_commands_it.htm">Is something good because God commands it, or vice versa?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - No one hath ever yet beheld God. Θεόν stands first for emphasis. and without the article, as meaning the Divine Being rather than the Father in particular: "With regard to God - no one hath ever yet beheld him" τεθεάται, stronger than ἑώρακεν. Why does St. John introduce this statement here? Not, of course, as implying that to love an invisible Being is impossible; but that the only security for genuine and lasting love in such a case is to love that which visibly represents him. Seeing that God is invisible, his abiding in us can be shown only by his essential characteristic being exhibited in us, i.e., by our showing similar self-sacrificing love Ἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ can scarcely mean God's love for us; for how can our loving one another make his love perfect? Nor yet vaguely, "the relation of love between us and God;" but, as in <a href="/1_john/2-5.htm">1 John 2:5</a>, our love for him. Our love towards God is perfected and brought to maturity by the exercise of love towards our brethren in him. <a href="/commentaries/1_john/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>No one οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. has ever seen τεθέαται (tetheatai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2300.htm">Strong's 2300: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit. God; Θεὸν (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] if ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. we love ἀγαπῶμεν (agapōmen) Verb - Present Subjunctive 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. one another, ἀλλήλους (allēlous) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_240.htm">Strong's 240: </a> One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. remains μένει (menei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. 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. us, ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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. 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. 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. is ἐστιν (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. perfected τετελειωμένη (teteleiōmenē) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate. 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. us. ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 4:13" /></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>