Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
John commands mutual love among the faithful, not merely the affection we show those who love us back, but the love that marks a son of God. No one can claim to know Him without loving his neighbor; true knowledge of God necessarily produces love in us.
AI summary
Love descends from heaven itself, it is God's nature and the fruit of His Spirit. Whoever loves with genuine holy affection is born of God and knows Him truly. But whoever loves not, knows not God; such a soul shows by its very coldness that true knowledge of the divine nature has no dwelling place within it.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 John 4:7-13
The apostle returns to brotherly love with fresh force: those who belong to God and stand for truth must love one another and their faithful ministers, holding fast against error. Love comes from God as His gift and fruit of His Spirit, and it proves regeneration.
AI summary