1 John 4:8 nasb — The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

NASB

"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

— 1 John 4:8, NASB

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1 John 4:8 in Other Translations

7 versions All translations

KJV
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV
ASV
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ”
American Standard Version · Read this chapter in ASV
WEB
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
World English Bible · Read this chapter in WEB
NET
“The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
NET Bible · Read this chapter in NET
DRB
“He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is charity.”
Douay-Rheims Bible · Read this chapter in DRB
BBE
“He who has no love has no knowledge of God, because God is love.”
Bible in Basic English · Read this chapter in BBE
KJVA
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
King James Version with Apocrypha · Read this chapter in KJVA

1 John 4 — Context

They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.

We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does 1 John 4:8 say?

1 John 4:8 in the NASB reads: “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Where is 1 John 4:8 in the Bible?

1 John 4:8 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, chapter 4, verse 8.

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 4:8.

What translation should I read 1 John 4:8 in?

1 John 4:8 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 4:8?

1 John 4:8 reads (NASB): “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 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.

1 John 4:8 nasb — The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Read in Another Translation

1 John 4:8 in Other Translations

1 John 4 — Context

1 John 4:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

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