1 John 4:12

“No man hath seen God at any time, &c.] The same is said by the Evangelist John, (<430118>John 1:18); but here it is observed with a different view, and upon another account; there it signifies that no man has seen and looked into the counsels and designs of God, and been able to make a discovery and declaration of his mind and will, his love and grace, and which is there ascribed to the Son of God, (see Gill on “<430118>John 1:18”); but here the sense is, that whereas God is invisible in his nature, and incomprehensible in his being and perfections, so that there is no coming to him, and seeing of him, and conversing with him in a familiar way, and so not of loving him as he is in himself,…”

“God, whom no man hath seen at any time, hath appointed His children as the visible recipients of our outward kindness which flows from love to Himself, "whom not having seen, we love," compare Notes, Jo1 4:11, Jo1 4:19-20. Thus Jo1 4:12 explains why, instead (in Jo1 4:11) of saying, "If God so loved us, we ought also to love God," he said, "We ought also to love one another." If we love one another, God dwelleth in us--for God is love; and it must have been from Him dwelling in us that we drew the real love we bear to the brethren (Jo1 4:8, Jo1 4:16). John discusses this in Jo1 4:13-16. his love--rather, "the love of Him," that is, "to Him" (Jo1 2:5), evinced by our love to His…”

“No man hath seen God at any time - See the notes at John 1:18, where the same declaration occurs. The statement seems to be made here in order to introduce a remark to show in what way we may know that we have any true knowledge of God. The idea is, “He has never indeed been seen by mortal eyes. We are not, then, to expect to become acquainted with what he is in that way. But there is a method by which we may be assured that we have a true knowledge of him, and that is, by evidence that we love another, and by the presence of his Spirit in our hearts. We cannot become acquainted with him by sight, but we may by love.” If we love one another, God dwelleth in us - Though we cannot see him, yet…”

“If we love one another, God abideth in us - This is treated of, Jo1 4:13-16. And his love is perfected - Has its full effect. In us - This is treated of, Jo1 4:17-19. 1 John 4:14”

“seen: Jo1 4:20; Gen 32:30; Exo 33:20; Num 12:8; Joh 1:18; Ti1 1:17, Ti1 6:16; Heb 11:27 love one: Jo1 4:6, Jo1 3:24 and his: Jo1 4:17, Jo1 4:18, Jo1 2:5; Co1 13:13 1 John 4:13”