1 John 4:7-12

1 John 4:7-12
A Women’s Lectionary – Fourth Sunday in Lent

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Beloved,A let us loveB one another, because loveC is from God;D everyone who loves is bornE of God and knowsF God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

Notes on verses 7-8

A “beloved” = agapetos. From agape (love, goodwill, benevolence; God’s divine love); from agapao (to love, take pleasure in, esteem; to prefer). This is Beloved or very dear one. It is a title for the Messiah, but also for Christians. Properly, this is one who personally experiences God’s love.
B “love” = agapao. Related to “beloved” in v7. See note A above.
C “love” = agape. Related to “beloved” and “love” in v7. See note A above.
D “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
E “is born” = gennao. From genna (descent, birth); from genos (family, offspring, kin – in a literal or figurative sense); from ginomai (to come into being, to happen, become, be born; to emerge from one state or condition to another; this is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth). This is to beget, give birth to, or bring forth. Properly, it refers to procreation by the father, but was used of the mother by extension. Figuratively, this can mean to regenerate.
F “knows” = ginosko. This is to know, recognize, realize, perceive, learn. It is knowledge gained through personal experience.

God’s love was revealedG among us in this way: God sentH his onlyI Son into the worldJ so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrificeK for our sins.L 

Notes on verses 9-10

G “revealed” = phaneroo. From phaneros (visible, apparent, clear, shining); from phos (light, a source of light, fire, or radiance; light with specific reference to what it reveals; luminousness whether natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative); from phao (to shine or make visible, especially with rays of light); from the same as phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is to make visible or clear, to make known. Properly, it is to illumine and so to make apparent or bring into open view.
H “sent” = apostello. From apo (from, away from) + stello (to send, set, arrange, prepare, gather up); {probably from histemi (to make to stand, stand, place, set up, establish, appoint, stand firm, be steadfast)}. This is to send forth, send away, dismiss, send as a messenger. It implies one that is sent for a particular mission or purpose rather than a quick errand. This is where “apostle” comes from.
I “only” = monogenes. Related to “is born” in v7. 9x in NT. From monos (alone, single, remaining, mere, desolate); {perhaps from meno (to stay, abide, wait, endure)} + genos (family, offspring, kin – in a literal or figurative sense); {from ginomai (see note E above)}. This is only begotten, unique, sole, one of a kind.
J “world” = kosmos. Perhaps from the base of komizo (to carry, convey, recover); from komeo (to take care of). This is order, the world, the universe, including its inhabitants. Literally, this is something that is ordered so it can refer to all creation. It can also refer to decoration in the sense that something is better ordered and, thus, made more beautiful. This is where “cosmos” and “cosmetics” come from.
K “atoning sacrifice” = hilasmos. 2x in NT. From hilaskomai (to make propitiation i.e. a sacrifice of atonement, to be merciful, reconcile, forgive, show favor); from the same as hileos (forgiving, merciful, gracious, cheerful as benevolent; a way to say “far be it”); from hilaos (gracious, benevolent) or from haireomai (to take, choose, or prefer) {probably related to airo (raise, take up, lift, remove)}. This is atoning sacrifice, an appeasement or propitiation.
L “sins” = hamartia. From hamartano (to miss the mark, do wrong, make a mistake, sin); {from a (not) + meros (a part or share)}. Literally, this means not having one’s share or portion – like not receiving inheritance or what was allotted to you. This word means missing the mark so it is used for guilt, fault, and acts of sin.

11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also oughtM to love one another. 12 No one has ever seenN God; if we love one another, God livesO in us, and his love is perfectedP in us.

Notes on verses 11-12

M “ought” = opheilo. Perhaps from the base of ophelos (advantage, gain, profit); from ophello (heaped together, accumulate, increase). This is to be indebted morally or legally – having an obligation one must meet. This term came from the legal world, but was then adopted in reference to morality. In the New Testament it is used for humanity’s ethical responsibility.
N “seen” = theaomai. From thaomai (to gaze at a spectacle; to look at or contemplate as a spectator; to interpret something in efforts to grasp its significance). This is to behold, look upon, see, contemplate, visit like a spectator. This is the root of the word “theatre.”
O “lives” = meno. Related to “only” in v9. See note I above.
P “is perfected” = teleioo. From teleios (going through the steps to complete a stage or phase and then moving on to the next one; reaching an end and so being complete or “perfect”; also full grown or mature); from telos (an end, aim, purpose, completion, end goal, consummation, tax).  This is finish, accomplish, bring to an end, complete, reach a goal, finish a race, to consummate. It refers to completing stages or phases to get to an ultimate conclusion. It can also mean consecrate or fulfill.


Image credit: “Love is…” by Chris Jones, 2012.

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