1 John 4:12-21

12 No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us. ¹

13 We are sure that we live in union with God and that he lives in union with us, because he has given us his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and tell others that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 If we declare that Jesus is the Son of God, we live in union with God and God lives in union with us.

16 And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them.

17 Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's.

18 There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.

19 We love because God first loved us.

20 If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen.

21 The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.

Cross References

• 1. 4.12John 1.18.