1 John 4:8 - He That Loveth Not Knoweth Not God

 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” — 1 John 4:8 KJV 

First John 4:8 gives a serious test of genuine fellowship with God. John teaches that a person may claim to know God, but a persistent absence of godly love contradicts that profession. This verse follows immediately after John's command, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God” (1 John 4:7). 

“He That Loveth Not”

John is speaking about more than natural affection. Biblical love seeks another person's good and is expressed through compassion, mercy, truth, forgiveness, patience, sacrifice, and obedience to God.

This does not mean Christians will love perfectly at all times. Believers are still growing. John's emphasis is on the character and direction of a person's life. Someone who continually embraces hatred while claiming intimate fellowship with God has a serious spiritual contradiction.

“Knoweth Not God”

There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God.

A person can know Scripture, attend church, understand doctrine, hold a ministry position, and speak religious language. Yet John teaches that genuine knowledge of God must eventually become visible in how we treat other people.

Earlier he writes:

“He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” — 1 John 3:14 KJV

Love does not earn salvation; rather, love is evidence of God's transforming work in a person's life.

“For God Is Love”

John gives the reason:

“for God is love.”

He does not merely say that God has love. Love belongs to God's character.

But Scripture defines God's love rather than allowing human culture to define it. The following verses explain what John means: God's love was manifested by sending His Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 

Therefore, biblical love is not merely sentimental emotion. God's love is holy, truthful, gracious, and sacrificial.

Love and Truth Belong Together

Love does not require us to approve everything someone does.

Jesus demonstrated perfect love while still confronting sin. Therefore, Christians should never use truth without love as an excuse for cruelty, nor use love without truth as an excuse for ignoring what God has said.

Biblical love speaks truth while seeking the person's good.

Personal Application

First John 4:8 causes us to examine ourselves rather than merely examining everyone around us.

How do I treat people who disagree with me?
Can I forgive someone who has hurt me?
Do I show mercy when I have the opportunity?
Do my words reflect the character of the God I say I know?

If God is love and we have been born of God, then His love should increasingly become visible through us.

Our profession should agree with our conduct:

If we say we know God, our lives should increasingly demonstrate the love of God.