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What Does It Mean That “We Love Because He First Loved Us”?

The words of 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us,” reveal a fundamental truth about the nature of love and its origin in Jehovah God. Love is not something that humanity invented or merely experiences on a human level; it is a divine attribute, first demonstrated by Jehovah Himself. Without His love, mankind would not understand true love or be capable of expressing it in the way that God intends. This verse reminds believers that love is not based on human merit but on Jehovah’s initiative. His love is the foundation upon which all genuine love is built.

From the beginning, Jehovah demonstrated His love for mankind. The act of creation itself was an expression of divine love, as Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Being made in God’s image means that humans have the capacity to love, just as He does. However, humanity’s ability to love is not self-sustaining—it depends on God’s example and His continued interaction with mankind. The love that people express toward one another, whether in marriage, family, friendship, or brotherhood in the faith, originates from the love that God first displayed.

This love was most clearly seen in Jehovah’s willingness to provide salvation despite mankind’s rebellion. Romans 5:8 declares, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The love that Jehovah has for mankind is not conditional upon human righteousness. He loved first, meaning that before anyone sought Him, He had already taken steps to offer redemption. This truth is reinforced in 1 John 4:10, which states, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” The love of Jehovah is proactive—it reaches out even when it is undeserved.

Understanding that Jehovah’s love came first also impacts the way believers love others. Because God’s love is selfless and sacrificial, those who follow Him are called to reflect that love in their lives. This is emphasized in 1 John 4:11: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Love is not merely a feeling but an action. Just as Jehovah demonstrated His love through His deeds, believers must show love through obedience to His commands and service to others. Jesus reinforced this in John 13:34-35 when He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The defining characteristic of a follower of Christ is love, and that love originates from Jehovah.

Jehovah’s love is not weak or sentimental—it is righteous and calls for obedience. Jesus stated in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” True love for God is demonstrated through faithful adherence to His Word. It is not merely an emotional response but a commitment to live in accordance with His will. 1 John 5:3 further clarifies this, stating, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” Love for Jehovah naturally leads to obedience, just as His love for humanity led to the greatest act of sacrifice.

The phrase “We love because he first loved us” also teaches humility. No one can claim to have discovered love apart from Jehovah’s revelation of it. This is especially significant in a world where many define love based on personal desires rather than divine truth. Human love is often tainted by selfishness, but the love that comes from Jehovah is pure and selfless. This is why believers must look to Him as the ultimate example of how to love. 1 John 3:16 states, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” Love is sacrificial; it seeks the good of others, even at personal cost.

The love of Jehovah also casts out fear, as 1 John 4:18 explains: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” Those who understand and embrace God’s love do not live in terror of condemnation, because they trust in His goodness and mercy. This does not mean that they take sin lightly, but rather that they rest in the assurance that Jehovah’s love provides the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Ultimately, love is at the heart of the gospel message. It is not something that originates from human effort but is a response to the divine love already shown. Because Jehovah loved first, believers are called to love in return—not only by worshiping Him but by demonstrating His love to the world. 1 John 4:19 is a reminder that love is not an obligation but a privilege, made possible because of the unchanging and eternal love of Jehovah.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).