1 John 4:14

King James Version (KJV)

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And we have seen - Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh; see 1 John 1:1, etc.; and do testify - bear witness, in consequence of having the fullest conviction, that the Father sent the son to be the Savior of the world. We have had the fullest proof of this from his doctrine and miracles, which we heard and saw during the whole time that he sojourned among men.

Was this helpful?

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

And we have seen - Notes on 1 John 1:1.

And do testify - Notes, 1 John 1:3. That is, we who are apostles bear witness to you of this great truth, that God has sent his Son to be a Saviour. Compare the notes at John 20:31. The reason why this is referred to here is not quite apparent, but the train of thought in this passage would seem to be this: The writer is discoursing of the love of God, and of its manifestation in the gift of the Saviour, and of the proper influence which it should have on us. Struck with the greatness and importance of the subject, his mind adverts to the “evidence” on which what he was saying rested - the evidence that the Father had really thus manifested his love. That evidence he repeats, that he had actually seen him who had been sent, and had the clearest demonstration that what he deemed so important had really occurred.

Was this helpful?

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession includes faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldness before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate! Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him, 2Ti 2:12. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard and veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principle of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labours from dread of a master's anger. They are like that of a dutiful child, who does services to a beloved father, which benefit his brethren, and are done willingly. It is a sign that our love is far from perfect, when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. Let heaven and earth stand amazed at his love. He sent his word to invite sinners to partake of this great salvation. Let them take the comfort of the happy change wrought in them, while they give him the glory. The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion. This must be tried by its effects on their temper, and their conduct to their brethren. If a man professes to love God, and yet indulges anger or revenge, or shows a selfish disposition, he gives his profession the lie. But if it is plain that our natural enmity is changed into affection and gratitude, let us bless the name of our God for this seal and earnest of eternal happiness. Then we differ from the false professors, who pretend to love God, whom they have not seen, yet hate their brethren, whom they have seen.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

14. We. That is, the apostolic group (cf. on v. 6), those who had personally seen the One whom the Father sent. The pronoun is emphatic in the Greek.

Have seen. Gr. theaomai, “to view attentively,” “to gaze upon,” “to contemplate” (see on v. 12). Compare on ch. 1:1, where the verb is translated “to look upon.” The form of the Greek verb indicates the abiding results of the past action. The apostles never forgot the revelation of God that they had witnessed in Jesus Christ. Although they, in common with other men, had never seen God (v. 12), they had seen His Son, and that sufficed.

Do testify. Or, “are bearing witness” (cf. on ch. 1:2). In so doing, John and his fellow preachers were fulfilling their Master’s command (Acts 1:8). The Christian church was largely built upon the testimony of the disciples who had studied the nature of God as revealed in the life of the Saviour, and had compared Christ’s life with the OT prophecies of the Messiah. In the early church there were many who had been converted by the Saviour’s own work; others accepted the faith through the witness at Pentecost; countless more believed because of the apostles’ subsequent testimony; but a still larger number, including ourselves, have been dependent upon the written witness as contained in the NT.

The Father sent. Literally, “the Father has sent.” The form of the Greek verb is the same as in v. 9 (see comment there).

To be the Saviour. The words “to be the” are supplied, and the clause may rightly read, “the Father sent the Son, a Saviour of the world.” Jesus did not become the Saviour by being sent, but was the Saviour before as well as after the incarnation. In spite of all that John has to say about Christ’s redemptive work, the word “Saviour” occurs only in one other place in his writings (John 4:42), and there is also qualified by the words “of the world.” For the significance of “Saviour” see on Matt. 1:21.

Of the world. That is, of the people in the world, although Christ’s work will ultimately include the renovation of the earth (Rev. 21:1, 5). The Saviour’s death made possible the salvation of every member of every nation (John 3:16, 17; 12:32). The result of His sacrifice is not limited to the Christian Era. Christ is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8; cf. Gen. 3:15; 4:3, 4; 22:13; Num. 21:9). Christ is the Saviour of all who will be redeemed, no matter the age in which they may happen to have lived.

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
God's Amazing Grace, 252.1

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14. AG 252.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
Lift Him Up, 23.1

We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14. LHU 23.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
This Day With God, 213.2

While we know Christ in one sense, that He is the Saviour of the world, it means more than this. We must have a personal knowledge and experience in Christ Jesus, an experimental knowledge of Christ, what He is to us, and what we are to Christ. That is the experience that everyone wants. Now, I cannot have it for any of you, nor can you have it for me. The work that is to be done for us, is to be through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit of God upon human minds and human hearts. The heart must be purified and sanctified. TDG 213.2

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
This Day With God, 313.2

I am much grieved because you are sick and suffering. But cling to Him whom you have loved and served these many years. He gave His own life for the world, and He loves every one who trusts in Him. He sympathizes with those who suffer under the depression of disease. He feels every pang of anguish that His loved ones feel. Just rest in His arms, and know that He is your Saviour, and your very best Friend, and that He will never leave nor forsake you. He has been your dependence for many years, and your soul may rest in hope. TDG 313.2

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Cross References

we have