1 John 4:9 kjv
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.
1 John 4:9 nkjv
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:9 niv
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 esv
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 nlt
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.
1 John 4 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son... | God's ultimate demonstration of love |
| Rom 5:8 | But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | Love demonstrated despite unworthiness |
| 1 Jn 4:10 | In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son... | God's initiative in love |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ... | Made alive through God's great love |
| Tit 3:4 | But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared... | God's kindness made visible |
| Rom 8:32 | He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all... | God's sacrifice of His Son |
| Gal 4:4 | But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son... | God's intentional sending |
| Heb 1:1-2 | God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers... has in these last days spoken to us in His Son... | Ultimate revelation through the Son |
| Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... and we have seen his glory... | The Incarnation as manifestation |
| Jn 1:18 | No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. | The Son revealing the Father |
| Php 2:6-8 | Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God... emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant... | Christ's humble submission to be sent |
| 1 Tim 2:5-6 | For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all... | Christ as the sole mediator and redeemer |
| 1 Jn 5:11-12 | And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life... | Life granted through the Son |
| Jn 6:51 | I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever... | Christ as the source of eternal life |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Exclusivity of salvation through Christ |
| Col 1:13-14 | He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. | Deliverance and new life in Christ |
| 2 Cor 5:19 | ...God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself... | Reconciliation made possible through Christ |
| Jn 10:10 | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. | Christ providing abundant life |
| Isa 53:5-6 | But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. | Prophecy of suffering for our life |
| Gen 3:15 | I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. | Protoevangelium; hint of the Redeemer |
| Lk 19:10 | For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. | Christ's mission to save |
1 John 4 verses
1 John 4 9 Meaning
This verse declares that the unparalleled depth of God's love was undeniably demonstrated and revealed to humanity through a specific divine act: the sending of His unique Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. The ultimate purpose of this sending was to enable humanity, spiritually dead in sin, to receive true spiritual and eternal life exclusively through Him. It underscores that God's love is not merely a feeling but an active, purposeful, and self-sacrificing initiative.
1 John 4 9 Context
First John chapter 4 is primarily concerned with the critical task of "testing the spirits" (1 Jn 4:1) to discern genuine teachers and truth from false ones. In this endeavor, the confession concerning Jesus Christ becomes the litmus test. The preceding verses (1 Jn 4:7-8) establish the profound link between God and love, stating unequivocally, "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8). Verse 9 serves as the ultimate proof and definition of this assertion. It provides the concrete historical action through which God's inherent loving nature was perfectly expressed and revealed to humanity. The historical/cultural context involves combating nascent Gnostic or Docetic beliefs which denied the real incarnation of Christ, claiming he was not fully human but only appeared to be so. John asserts the physicality and purpose of Christ's sending. This verse counters such heresies by firmly grounding the manifestation of God's love in the concrete, verifiable act of God sending His actual Son into the world for our life.
1 John 4 9 Word analysis
- In this (ἐν τούτῳ, en toutō): This phrase functions as a demonstrative, pointing forward to the specific act that follows as the clearest evidence or definition. It signifies that what comes next is the precise way or sphere in which God's love is made evident.
- the love of God (ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, hē agapē tou Theou): Refers to God's unique divine love (agape), which is unconditional, self-sacrificing, and seeking the highest good of the beloved. The genitive "of God" indicates that this love originates from God. It's His nature, active towards us.
- was made manifest (ἐφανερώθη, ephanerōthē): An aorist passive verb meaning "was revealed," "was shown," "was brought into full light," or "was demonstrated." It signifies that God's love was not a hidden truth or a mere concept, but became visible and tangible in history through an act that could be seen and understood by humans. It directly challenges ideas of hidden knowledge by emphasizing an open revelation.
- among us (ἐν ἡμῖν, en hēmin): This indicates the sphere and recipients of this manifestation. God's love was revealed specifically to humanity, not to an ethereal realm, and for their benefit. It points to a direct personal impact on human lives.
- that (ὅτι, hoti): An explanatory conjunction, introducing the content or specific nature of how God's love was made manifest.
- God (ὁ Θεός, ho Theos): The Divine Subject and initiating agent of this loving act. Emphasizes God's sovereign will and active involvement in redemption.
- sent (ἀπέσταλκεν, apestalken): A perfect tense verb indicating a completed action with continuing results. This verb implies a divine commission and a purposeful mission. It underscores God's active, deliberate initiative, sending His Son with authority and a specific task.
- his only Son (τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, ton huion autou ton monogenē):
- Son (υἱόν, huion): Denotes a unique, intimate, and filial relationship with God the Father. Not just a prophet or messenger, but one sharing the Father's nature.
- only (μονογενῆ, monogenē): Transliterated "monogenes." Often translated as "only begotten," it more accurately means "unique" or "one of a kind." It stresses Jesus' unparalleled relationship with the Father—He is the Father's sole, unique Son, distinct in nature from any other creation. This emphasizes Christ's pre-existence and divine essence, not merely His birth. It directly combats heresies that might diminish Christ's divinity or unique identity.
- into the world (εἰς τὸν κόσμον, eis ton kosmon): Refers to humanity in its fallen state, the realm characterized by sin and separation from God. This highlights the magnitude of God's love in intervening in a broken world.
- so that we might live (ἵνα ζήσωμεν, hina zēsōmen):
- so that (ἵνα, hina): A strong purpose clause, stating the ultimate goal or intention behind God sending His Son.
- we might live (ζήσωμεν, zēsōmen): This "life" is not mere physical existence, but spiritual and eternal life—a quality of life marked by fellowship with God, freedom from sin's power, and assurance of future glory. It is life in its truest, most abundant form, contrasting with spiritual death.
- through him (δι' αὐτοῦ, di' autou): Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the sole agency, means, and channel through whom this divine life is conveyed and received. There is no other path to this life; it is found exclusively through the Son whom God sent.