"We love because he first loved us."
— 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
1 John 4:19 is the verse people mean when they search the reference for "we love because he first loved us." This page is that line and a plain reading. The longer study on this site is Unconditional love Bible: 1 John 4:19. The same chapter's "God is love" lines are 1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16. Perfect love and fear sit at 1 John 4:18 and Perfect love casts out fear.
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The verse
1 John 4:19 (NIV) reads: "We love because he first loved us."
The King James says, "We love him, because he first loved us." Some manuscripts name "him"; the point in either reading is the order — God's love comes first.
What does 1 John 4:19 mean?
John has been arguing that love for one another is the mark of knowing God. Verse 19 answers where that love starts. It does not begin in us as a self-generated virtue. It begins in God, who loved first. Our love for God and for others is a response, not the origin.
The chapter has already said God is love (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16) and that perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). Verse 19 is the hinge: because he loved first, we love. The fuller walk through the verse is Unconditional love Bible: 1 John 4:19.
Love starts with God. 1 John 4:10 already places that love in what God did, before we loved him back.
Our love for God and for others is the response. 1 John 4:20-21 then joins love for God with love for the people we can see.
How people use 1 John 4:19
People look up the reference for sermons on grace, children's memory verses, and cards that name love as a response to God. It pairs with Romans 5:8 when the topic is God showing love while we were still sinners, and with John 13:34 when the topic is loving one another as Jesus loved.
Questions people ask
What does 1 John 4:19 say?
It says we love because he first loved us.
What does we love because he first loved us mean?
It means God's love is the starting point. Our love for him and for others answers his love; it does not create it. See Unconditional love Bible: 1 John 4:19.
Is this only about loving God?
The verse sits in a chapter that also commands love for one another. The "we love" includes that horizontal love as a response to God's prior love. Stay with 1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16 for "God is love."
How does this relate to 1 John 4:18?
Verse 18 says perfect love drives out fear. Verse 19 names why we love at all: he loved first. Read 1 John 4:18 and Perfect love casts out fear.
Where should I read next?
For the longer study, read Unconditional love Bible: 1 John 4:19. For God is love, read 1 John 4:8. For fear and love, read 1 John 4:18.
Frequently asked questions
What does "we love because he first loved us" mean?
It means God loved first. Our love for him and for other people answers that love. It does not start it.
What is the difference between the NIV and KJV of 1 John 4:19?
The NIV says, "We love because he first loved us." The King James says, "We love him, because he first loved us." The King James names "him." Both readings keep God's love first.
