Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 4:7

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God." — 1 John 4:7 (ASV)

The address “dear friends” (lit., “beloved”; cf. 2:7; 4:1) and the imperative force of the verb make clear that the author is speaking primarily to the community itself. His intention is to provide final assurance that the community’s commitment to mutual love is the explicit requirement of the Gospel as revealed in God himself. Love for one’s brother “comes from God.” It is evidence of our being “born of God” that is as important as righteous behavior is (2:29). It is not a virtue innate in us nor is it learned behavior. It is “from God.” He is the originator—the giver of love. Furthermore, whoever truly loves “his brother” not only is born of God (2:28; 3:24) but also “knows God.”