1 John 4:16b: Abiding Godliness—God’s Communicable Attribute of “Love”

"God is love, and the one abiding in love is abiding in God and God is abiding in him."

It's easy to see the algebraic equation embedded in the above verse from 1 John. Most have studied and remember this mathematical function (apart from many we may have forgotten): "If A = B, and if B = C, then A = C." This exact premise is being postulated here in our verse. And while that's easy enough to discern from the English, the Greek rendering, based on word order and proximity, can be even more keenly observed. With God = "A," love = "B" and the believer (i.e., the one abiding) = "C," examine the Greek word order:

Who God is:  ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν = "God love is." ( "A = B" )

Notice God's attribute ("love") is right next to Him in the sentence.

The believer's duty: ὁ μένων ἐν ᾖ ἀγάπῃ = "the one abiding in love" ( "C=B" )

(connection to God): ἐν τῷ θεῷ μένει = "in God is abiding" 

Therefore: ὁ θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει = "God in him is abiding." ( "A = C" )

In each of the first two phrases above God's character (attribute) of love is tied to him via word proximity. In the third phrase above God Himself is tied to the believer via that same immediate word proximity. In each instance the verb is moved to the end of the phrase to accommodate the stark visual image of what's being communicated. And, in the final analysis, the result of the believer's "abiding in love" is that God Himself is said to "abide" in the believer. Since God's attribute of love is so closely tied with who He is, it is communicated to the abiding believer. What description could be applied to this other than personal "godliness," derived from God's indwelling attribute of "love."

Go to: "It's All Greek to YOU!" (Wermuth's Greek Blog)