“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.”
My Notes
What Does 1 John 4:9 Mean?
John identifies the supreme manifestation of God's love: he sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. The love is not abstract. It was manifested — made visible, tangible, historical — through the sending of the Son.
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us" — the love was not always visible. It was manifested at a specific point — the incarnation. The sending of the Son is the moment love became undeniable.
"His only begotten Son" — the uniqueness of the Son is the measure of the gift. God did not send a representative. He sent his only one — the irreplaceable, the singular, the beloved.
"That we might live through him" — the purpose of the sending is life. Not just forgiveness. Not just rescue. Life — abundant, eternal, genuine. And the life comes through him — through the person of Jesus, not around him.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the sending of the Son make God's love 'manifested' rather than theoretical?
- 2.What does 'only begotten' add to the magnitude of the gift?
- 3.How is 'that we might live through him' different from merely being forgiven?
- 4.Where do you need to look at the sending when you doubt God's love?
Devotional
In this was manifested the love of God toward us. In this. Not in theory. In this — in a specific, historical, tangible act. The love of God was not always visible. It became visible when the Son was sent.
God sent his only begotten Son into the world. Sent. The initiative was God's. The cost was the Son — his only one. The destination was the world — this broken, rebellious, hostile world. God sent his most precious into the least deserving.
That we might live through him. Live. Not just survive. Not just be forgiven. Live — with the kind of life that originates in God and flows through his Son. The life comes through him. There is no other channel.
The love of God is not a feeling. It is a sending. The sending of the irreplaceable Son into the hostile world for the purpose of giving life to the undeserving. That is what love looks like when God does it.
If you have ever doubted God's love — if you have wondered whether he cares, whether he is paying attention, whether you matter to him — look at the sending. The only begotten Son. Into the world. That you might live. That is not the action of a distant or indifferent God. That is love manifested.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
In this was manifested the love of God towards us,.... The love of God here spoken of, and instanced in, is not his…
In this was manifested the love of God - That is, in an eminent manner, or this was a most signal proof of it. The…
In this was manifested the love of God - The mission of Jesus Christ was the fullest proof that God could give, or that…
As the Spirit of truth is known by doctrine (thus spirits are to be tried), it is known by love likewise; and so here…
In this was manifested Or, for the sake of uniformity with 1Jn 4:4; 1Jn 4:13; 1Jn 4:4, Herein was manifested:we have the…
Cross References
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