Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
God, whom no man hath seen at any time, hath appointed His children as the visible recipients of our outward kindness which flows from love to Himself, "whom not having seen, we love," compare Notes, 1 John 4:11, 1 John 4:19-20. Thus 1 John 4:12 explains why, instead (in 1 John 4:11) of saying, "If God so loved us, we ought also to love God," he said, "We ought also to love one another."
If we love one another, God dwelleth in us--for God is love; and it must have been from Him dwelling in us that we drew the real love we bear to the brethren (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16). John discusses this in 1 John 4:13-16.
his love--rather, "the love of Him," that is, "to Him" (1 John 2:5), evinced by our love to His representatives, our brethren.
is perfected in us--John discusses this in 1 John 4:17-19. Compare 1 John 2:5, "is perfected," that is, attains its proper maturity.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
1 Corinthians 8:3
Colossians 3:14
1 Timothy 6:16
1 John 4:7
1 John 4:12
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