Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Ambiguity in 1 John 2:5

Interesting ambiguity in my Bible time in 1 John this morning. 

Do these words in 1 John 2:5 mean "God's love for us" or "Our love for God"? 

Most English versions leave the expression ambiguous: "the love of God." There are two exceptions, however:

CEV: "We truly love God only when we obey him as we should."

NLT: "Those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him."

Or, as Stott writes in his commentary, "True love of God is expressed ... in moral obedience" (p. 95).

Just another reason why you might want to consult different versions as you read the Bible.

Have a wonderful day!