Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 4:11

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." — 1 John 4:11 (ASV)

The author continues to show that the true nature of love is unselfish and sacrificial. In 3:16 he appealed to Jesus, who laid down his life for believers, as the example for them to follow. Now he directs attention to God’s own example: “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” The nature of John’s argument is not deductive but analogical. Just as God’s children must be holy because he is holy (cf. Leviticus 11:44–45; 1 Peter 1; 15ff.) and merciful because he is merciful , so they must love because he loves. We must be like him.