1 John 4:12

No man hath seen God at any time Better, as R. V., No man hath beheld God at any time: a different verb (τεθέαται) is used here from that used in 1 John 4:20 and in John 1:18 (ἑώρακαν) where we have exactly the same statement. The verb used here implies something of gazing and contemplation: our word -theatre" comes from it. Comp. -Whom no man hath seen, nor can see" (1 Timothy 6:16).

Once more (see on 1 John 4:7) the connecting lines of thought are not on the surface, and cannot be affirmed with certainty. What follows seems to give the clue to what otherwise looks like an abrupt transition. -I say we must love one another, for by so doing we have proof of the presence of the invisible God. No amount of contemplation ever yet enabled any one to detect God's presence. Let us love one another, and then we are sure, not only that He is with us but in us, and not merely is, but abides". Here, as in John 1:18, -God" stands first for emphasis: God no one hath ever yet beheld.

God dwelleth in us Better, as R. V., God abideth in us(see on 1 John 2:24): He is not a momentary visitant but a permanent friend and guest.

his love is perfected in us Or, the love of Him is perfected in us. -His love" to us can scarcely be meant; for in what sense would our loving one another perfect that? Moreover, as already noticed, -the love of God" in this Epistle commonly means man's love to Him, not His to man (1 John 2:5; 1 John 3:17; 1 John 5:3). -His love" might possibly mean the love which characterizes Him, or the love which He has implanted in us; but the other is simpler. Our love to God is developed and perfected by our loving one another. We practise and strengthen our love of the Unseen by shewing love to the seen. See on 1 John 2:5.