Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 JOHN 4:10KJV
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1 John 4:10 (KJV)

What does 1 John 4:10 mean?

1 John 4:10 describes God’s love as something shown through action. God sent his Son to deal with human sins, giving the readers a concrete example of what love is. The verse places God’s action before the readers’ love for him.

After describing God’s sending of his Son in verse 9, the writer names its purpose: to address “our sins,” meaning the wrongs people have done. The contrast between “we” and “he” directs attention to God as the one who took the initiative.

The Greek behind 1 John 4:10

  • “propitiation” — ἱλασμός (hilasmos): The word refers to a means of dealing with sins and their consequences before God. Here, the word describes the purpose for which God sent his Son.
  • “sent” — ἀποστέλλω (apostellō): The word means to send someone out. Here, God’s Son is presented as someone sent for a particular purpose, not merely as someone who appeared.

Why 1 John 4:10 matters

  • The verse gives love a specific content. The phrase “sent his Son” ties love to a particular act rather than leaving it as an unnamed feeling.
  • The word “our” includes the writer with the readers. Both are among those whose sins are addressed by the Son’s coming.
  • The verse helps explain the appeal that follows in verse 11. The call for the readers to love one another rests on the love God has already shown.

Where else these words appear

“propitiation” Greek G2434 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

“Herein” Greek G5129 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

“love” Greek G26 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
  • 1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

“loved” Greek G25 · used in 109 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,