Lesson 264: 1 John 4:8
1 John 4:8
The Blueprint — The Verse
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Memorization Practice
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Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
1 John 4 centers divine love revealed at the cross. Lack of love proves lack of knowing God whose essential nature is love — not mere attribute but being.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
John warns against false spirits and proclaims God’s love sent in the Son as propitiation. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (1 John 4:7) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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1 John 4:9
By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (1 John 4:9) to continue the passage.
Discussion
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How does knowing God as love change how you love enemies?
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Where is lovelessness revealing gaps in knowing God?
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How was love defined at the cross?
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