How can 1 John 4:8 say “God is love” when the Old Testament shows actions that don’t seem loving?

Understanding the Statement “God Is Love” (1 John 4:8)

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

This verse affirms that God’s very nature encompasses genuine, self-giving love. Yet, questions often arise when readers encounter Old Testament narratives involving judgments, wars, or other actions that may not seem loving at first glance. The following entry explores how these accounts align with the truth that God is indeed love.

God’s Perfect Holiness and Love

God’s holiness is consistently portrayed throughout Scripture (e.g., Isaiah 6:3), and it exists in perfect harmony with His love. Holiness involves moral perfection, separation from evil, and unwavering justice. Love expresses His benevolent commitment to the well-being of His creation. When the Old Testament records events such as the judgment of nations, it is not a contradiction of love but an expression of divine justice rooted in holiness.

The Old Testament frequently illustrates that God “is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion” (Psalm 103:8; cf. Exodus 34:6). Divine judgment follows centuries of patience toward persistent wrongdoers. In Genesis 15:16, for instance, God points out that the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet complete—indicating a lengthy period of mercy before judgment fell.

Contextualizing Difficult Old Testament Events

1. Conquest of Canaan: In Deuteronomy 9:4–5, it is explained that God was dispossessing the Canaanite nations primarily because of their extreme wickedness, including child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21). This judgment flowed from His justice against deeply entrenched evil practices and also served to protect future generations from these corruptions.

2. Global Flood (Genesis 6–9): The flood narrative depicts humanity’s thorough rebellion and violence. Though this event was cataclysmic, God provided a warning and a means of salvation through Noah’s ark (Genesis 6:13–18). This highlights divine love extended in the midst of divine judgment, preserving humanity and animal life to start afresh.

3. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18–19): Before destroying these cities, the Lord agreed to spare them if even ten righteous individuals could be found (Genesis 18:32), reflecting His readiness to show mercy. The destruction was directed at longstanding, grievous sin, and not an arbitrary act of cruelty.

In each example, the broader biblical narrative underscores that God patiently issues warnings and invites repentance. When unrepentant evil intensifies, judgment follows—but always within the overarching plan to bless and protect those who turn to Him (Ezekiel 18:23).

Love Displayed Through Covenant Relationship

God’s covenants demonstrate His steadfast love. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3) anticipated blessings for all nations. The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:5–6) offered a way for Israel to display God’s standards of righteousness. Even as Israel repeatedly broke the covenant, prophetic writings consistently portray God as a faithful husband and loving Father who longs for restoration (Hosea 11:1–4; Jeremiah 3:14).

The Fulfillment of Love in Christ

The New Testament, culminating in Christ, clarifies that sacrificial love is central to God’s nature. Christ’s atoning death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) form the ultimate demonstration of divine love, reconciling humanity to God. This is not a contradiction of prior revelations but the unveiling of God’s redemptive plan foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament (Isaiah 53; Luke 24:27).

In understanding 1 John 4:8, we see that God’s love is most vividly revealed in the resurrection of Christ. Historical evidence—examined by researchers and documented throughout early manuscripts, including references preserved in letters such as 1 Corinthians—supports the authenticity of the resurrection. These testimonies underscore a defining act of divine love.

Archaeological and Manuscript Corroboration

Multiple lines of evidence support the unity and reliability of Scripture:

1. Biblical Manuscripts: Early manuscript fragments (e.g., some housed in the Chester Beatty Library and the Rylands Library) attest to the New Testament’s textual integrity. Old Testament reliability is supported by discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, which demonstrate remarkable consistency with the Masoretic Text. This historical reliability affirms that the accounts of God’s actions remain accurate across centuries.

2. Archaeological Findings: Excavations at sites such as Hazor and Megiddo show destruction layers corresponding to biblical events. The Tel Dan Stele references the “House of David,” offering extrabiblical attestation of biblical figures. These finds lend credence to the historical framework in which God’s righteous acts and loving promises unfolded.

These evidences, though not replacing faith, reinforce the coherency of Scripture and help illustrate how love and justice play dual roles in the biblical record.

Divine Love Expressed Through Discipline

Love is not mere sentiment; it includes genuine concern for the moral and spiritual condition of individuals and societies. Hebrews 12:6 teaches that “the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” Old Testament judgments can be understood in light of corrective discipline on a larger scale, deterring further evil and preserving a remnant through whom blessing might come.

Human Perspective vs. Divine Perspective

From a human perspective, certain events may appear harsh. Yet Scripture affirms that God’s judgments are rooted in perfect knowledge and righteous standards. Job 38–42 captures how finite understanding cannot fully grasp all aspects of God’s administration of justice and mercy. We see only a fragment of the broader tapestry where God’s goodness and love remain constant.

Harmony and Continuity Within Scripture

1) No Contradiction Between Testaments: Both Testaments emphasize that God is consistent. Malachi 3:6 says, “I, the LORD, do not change.” Therefore, 1 John 4:8 stands as a direct extension of the same love manifested throughout the Old Testament.

2) Progressive Revelation: Early stages of God’s plan highlight His holiness and justice among rebellious nations. Later, this plan reaches its fullness in Christ’s redemptive work. The Old Testament prepares the way, seeking humanity’s restoration from sin, which is the ultimate act of divine love (Romans 5:8).

Conclusion: God’s Nature as Love and Justice

1 John 4:8 does not contradict the Old Testament’s presentation of God—rather, it affirms His character, which unites both perfect justice and steadfast love. Difficult passages must be understood within the full scriptural context, where God’s enduring patience, gracious covenants, corrective discipline, and ultimate plan of redemption unfold across time.

The Old Testament’s episodes of judgment highlight God’s righteous commitment to eradicate evil, protect future generations, and continue His loving purpose for all who trust in Him. At the cross and empty tomb, that purpose is fully displayed, confirming that God’s essence as love remains consistent from Genesis to Revelation.