4:8b

because: (Logical Relationship) This clause (God is love) gives the reason why we know that such a person does not know God. The most important thing about God is his love, so anyone who knows him will certainly show some of his love to others.

God is love: (Meaning) This does not mean that God is the same thing as love, or that God is nothing more than love. John is saying that all of God’s character is summed up by the word “love,” and that the most important thing about him is his love, and everything he does is done out of love for people.

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