1 John 4:12 cpdv — No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Catholic Public Domain Version

"No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. "

— 1 John 4:12, Catholic Public Domain Version

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1 John 4:12 in Other Translations

7 versions All translations

1 John 4 — Context

9

The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

10

In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

11

Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

12

No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13

In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.

14

And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

15

Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 John 4:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 John 4:12 say?
1 John 4:12 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. ”
Where is 1 John 4:12 in the Bible?
1 John 4:12 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, chapter 4, verse 12.
Who wrote 1 John?
1 John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of 1 John about?
John writes to help believers know they have eternal life. Three tests run through the letter: do you walk in the light, love one another, and confess that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh? Where these are present, assurance follows.
What are the major themes of 1 John?
1 John explores themes including Assurance, Love, Light, Truth vs. Error, Eternal Life. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 John 4:12.
What translation should I read 1 John 4:12 in?
1 John 4:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 John 4:12?
1 John 4:12 reads (CPDV): “No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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