Lesson 264: 1 John 4:8
The Blueprint — The Verse
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Memorization Practice
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
centers divine love revealed at the cross. Lack of love proves lack of knowing God whose essential nature is love — not mere attribute but being.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
John warns against false spirits and proclaims God's love sent in the Son as propitiation. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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How does knowing God as love change how you love enemies?
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Where is lovelessness revealing gaps in knowing God?
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How was love defined at the cross?
