1 John 4:16

King James Version (KJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

God is love - See on 1 John 4:8; (note). He that dwelleth in love - he who is full of love to God and man is full of God, for God is love; and where such love is, there is God, for he is the fountain and maintainer of it.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

And we have known and believed … - We all have assurance that God has loved us, and the fullest belief in the great fact of redemption by which he has manifested his love to us.

God is love - Notes, 1 John 4:8. It is not uncommon for John to repeat an important truth. He delights to dwell on such a truth as that which is here expressed; and who should not? What truth is there on which the mind can dwell with more pleasure; what is there that is better fitted to win the heart to holiness; what that will do more to sustain the soul in the sorrows and trials of this life? In our trials; in the darkness which is around us; in the perplexities which meet and embarrass us in regard to the divine administration; in all that seems to us incomprehensible in this world, and in the prospect of the next, let us learn to repeat this declaration of the favored disciple, ““God is love.”” What trials may we not bear, if we feel assured of that! What dark cloud that seems to hang over our way, and to involve all things in gloom, will not be bright, if from the depths of our souls we can always say, “God is love!”

And he that dwelleth in love … - Religion is all love. God is love; he has loved us; we are to love him; we are to love one another; we are to love the whole world. Heaven is filled with love, and there is nothing else there. The earth is filled with love just as far as religion prevails, and would be entirely if it should prevail everywhere. Love would remove all the corrupt passions, the crimes, the jealousies, the wars on the earth, and would diffuse around the globe the bliss of heaven. If a man, therefore, is actuated by this, he has the spirit of the heavenly world reigning in his soul, and lives in an atmosphere of love.

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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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

16. And we. This may refer to those who are mentioned in v. 14, that is, the apostolic group who, in contrast with the universal “whosoever” (v. 15), have already been confirmed Christians for many years. Because of this established experience the testimony of the group merits consideration and respect.

Have known and believed. The form of the verbs thus translated indicates that John and his associates not only had known and believed but were continuing to do so. There is need for belief as well as for knowledge; both are essential in Christian experience.

We must know God before we can believe in Him. We must learn of the plan of salvation before we can trust our eternal lives to it. Moreover, both the knowledge and the belief may be progressively deeper. When we believe what we have learned, we are ready to learn more and believe in that, too. Thus neither is ever complete. We shall continue to learn more and believe more, and never shall we fully fathom the profound depths of the love of God to man.

Hath to us. Rather, “has in us.” The form of the Greek verb emphasizes the continuity of God’s love for His children. The preposition “in” indicates that we are the sphere in which the love of God is revealed. A consecrated Christian is the most persuasive exhibit of the fruitage of God’s love; the love of God, having operated in him, has transformed a sinner into a saint. Such miracle-working love cannot but be acknowledged by the one in whom it has operated and by those who observe its transforming power. Thus God’s love comes to be known and believed through the lives of His faithful children.

God is love. See on v. 8. Here the identification is linked with a positive statement, whereas in v. 8 it follows a negative declaration. That God is love has been the constant background of John’s reasoning, and has conditioned his frequent categorical statements.

Dwelleth in love. Whenever we maintain ourselves in the atmosphere of love, it follows that we must be maintaining ourselves in the presence of God. Because we dwell in love, we dwell in God, who is love (v. 8).

To abide continually in the realm of love toward God and men, in the face of contrary influences, calls for spiritual stamina that can be sustained only by constant communion with the Lord. On the difficulty of ever maintaining the needful fellowship between us and God see on v. 15.

God in him. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “God dwelleth in him.” All who have tasted the joys of this mutual indwelling with the God of love know that the reward is well worth the effort. Satan knows it too, and is clever enough not to attempt a direct denial of its value. Instead, he paints many lesser good things in glowing colors and leads us to center our thoughts upon them, even if only for a brief moment. Once he can thus divert our attention from God, he often succeeds in leading the mind along to harmful thoughts of self and others. Before we know it or even realize our danger, we are harboring thoughts of resentment, with the result that love and God have both been driven from our hearts. It is an old technique, but it is still all too successful!

Our best defense is a deliberate and constant centering of the mind upon the blessings we have enjoyed at the hand of God (Ps. 63:6; 139:17, 18). The memory of what God has done for us, of what fellowship with Him has meant, is also strengthened when we tell others of our joys. Such testimonies encourage our brethren and strengthen our determination to maintain the connection between ourselves and Heaven (Mal. 3:16; MH 100).

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 560

True sanctification comes through the working out of the principle of love. “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16. The life of him in whose heart Christ abides, will reveal practical godliness. The character will be purified, elevated, ennobled, and glorified. Pure doctrine will blend with works of righteousness; heavenly precepts will mingle with holy practices. AA 560.1

Those who would gain the blessing of sanctification must first learn the meaning of self-sacrifice. The cross of Christ is the central pillar on which hangs the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” “If any man will come after Me,” Christ says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” 2 Corinthians 4:17; Matthew 16:24. It is the fragrance of our love for our fellow men that reveals our love for God. It is patience in service that brings rest to the soul. It is through humble, diligent, faithful toil that the welfare of Israel is promoted. God upholds and strengthens the one who is willing to follow in Christ's way. AA 560.2

Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience. AA 560.3

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Ellen G. White
Child Guidance, 487

God's Love Should Be Taught in Every Lesson.—The first lesson that children are to be taught is that God is their Father. This lesson should be given them in their earliest years. Parents are to realize that they are responsible before God for making their children acquainted with their heavenly Father.... That God is love is to be taught by every lesson.⁴ CG 487.1

Fathers and mothers should teach the infant, the child, and the youth of the love of Jesus. Let the first baby lispings be of Christ.⁵ CG 487.2

Christ should be associated with all the lessons given to children.⁶ CG 487.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels on Diet and Foods, 211

Human wisdom is to be combined with divine wisdom and the mercy of God. Let us hide self in Christ. Let us work diligently to reach the high standard God has set up for us,—moral transformation by the gospel. God calls upon us to advance in right lines, to make straight paths for our feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. Then will Christ be satisfied.—Letter 39, 1901 CD 211.1

331. Brother and Sister ----- carried the matter of indulgence in eating to extreme, and the institute became demoralized. Now the enemy would push you into the opposite extreme if he could, to have a poverty-stricken diet. Be careful to keep level heads and sensible ideas. Seek wisdom from heaven and move understandingly. If you take extremely radical positions, you will be obliged to back down, and then however conscientious you may have been, you have lost confidence in your own sound judgment, and our brethren and unbelievers will lose confidence in you. Be sure to go no faster than you have positive light from God. Take no man's ideas, but move intelligently in the fear of the Lord. CD 211.2

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 816

To Peter the words “Follow Me” were full of instruction. Not only for his death, but for every step of his life, was the lesson given. Hitherto Peter had been inclined to act independently. He had tried to plan for the work of God, instead of waiting to follow out God's plan. But he could gain nothing by rushing on before the Lord. Jesus bids him, “Follow Me.” Do not run ahead of Me. Then you will not have the hosts of Satan to meet alone. Let Me go before you, and you will not be overcome by the enemy. DA 816.1

As Peter walked beside Jesus, he saw that John was following. A desire came over him to know his future, and he “saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me.” Peter should have considered that his Lord would reveal to him all that it was best for him to know. It is the duty of everyone to follow Christ, without undue anxiety as to the work assigned to others. In saying of John, “If I will that he tarry till I come,” Jesus gave no assurance that this disciple should live until the Lord's second coming. He merely asserted His own supreme power, and that even if He should will this to be so, it would in no way affect Peter's work. The future of both John and Peter was in the hands of their Lord. Obedience in following Him was the duty required of each. DA 816.2

How many today are like Peter! They are interested in the affairs of others, and anxious to know their duty, while they are in danger of neglecting their own. It is our work to look to Christ and follow Him. We shall see mistakes in the lives of others, and defects in their character. Humanity is encompassed with infirmity. But in Christ we shall find perfection. Beholding Him, we shall become transformed. DA 816.3

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