1 John 4:12 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Bible Comments

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Ver. 12. No man hath seen God] If we read that any hath seen him, we must understand it, that indeed they did see Mercavah, velo harocheb, the chariot in which God rode, but not the rider in it, as that Rabbi speaketh. (Rab. Maim. More Nevochim, iii. 7.)

His love is perfected in us] i.e. Either actively; our love is demonstrated in the excellency of it. Or else passively; the love that God beareth to us is abundantly declared perfect, in that he worketh such a gracious inclination in us. And in this latter sense understand the apostle, 1 John 4:17, touching love made perfect.

1 John 4:12

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.