We Love Because He (Father and Son) Loved Us

"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)

We love because He first loved us.

This verse does not contain "him" in the original.

What does the Message portray in this verse?

"We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first"

This translation assures that we will love as well as love others,  but first things first: we have to know and believe in His love for us. There is no way that we can love others in our own strength.

What about the Amplified?

"We love Him, because He first loved us."

The italics recognize that the word is inferred, but in truth, His love allows us to love without bounds, to love everyone whom He brings us in contact with.

Notice that the Amplified version added nothing more in brackets. There is no topping, no adding to the truth that we love as we have been loved by God:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)

and then

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." (John 15: 9)

Ponder that -- Jesus loves us as much as the Father loves Jesus.

Then you can love, because you will know and believe that the Father and the Son loved you.