Paragraph 4:19–21

Read 4:19–21 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: This is the summary of John’s appeal that we should love other Christians because God has loved us so much.

4:19a

We love: (Lexical Problem) No object for this verb is expressed in the Greek. However John is talking about our love for God and for other people, so this may be made explicit if the verb “love” has to have an expressed object in your language. See Display.

The King James Version and Living Bible use the pronoun “him” in this verse part, but that is based on an inferior Greek text.

4:19b

because: (Alternative Interpretations) There are different views on what ideas this implies and connects:

(1) It probably means that God’s love for us gives us the power to love.

(2) Some think it means that we have a duty to love because God loves us.

(3) Others think it means we are able to love because God’s love gives us the example to follow.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

He: (Pronoun Reference) This refers to God. See Good News Translation.

first: (Multiple Senses) This is used here in the sense of “before/previously.” John means that God loved us before we loved him or others.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.