1 John 4:16-21

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

A familiar translation from the Greek is: "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." But a contemporary translation uses the phrase "lives in" for "abides" and replaces the masculine third person pronouns "he" and "him" with "whoever" and "them" in order to be more inclusive.

The purpose of this passage has to do with the mystery of God, who is present in the love of those who trust in love. The author of this letter affirms that the love of God "is perfected with us." (v. 17), and says we love because God loves us. The letter also admits that Christians cannot love God and hate their neighbors.

Grace and peace...Bob