Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 John 4:12

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 John 4:12 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 John 4:12. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, no one has ever seen God, but if we show love to each other, God lives inside us and His love becomes complete in us. This means that by being kind and caring, we can feel God's presence with us.

1 John 4:12: No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Contradiction with Exodus 33:11

This verse states that God spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend, which contradicts the idea that no man has seen God at any time.

Exodus 33:11: And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Contradiction with Genesis 32:30

Jacob claims, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved," which contradicts the notion in 1 John 4:12 that no man has seen God.

Genesis 32:30: And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. [Peniel: that is, The face of God]

Contradiction with John 1:18

This verse states, "No man hath seen God at any time," which seems to align but becomes contradictory considering other verses where people have claimed to see God.

John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

Contradiction with Exodus 24:10

The Israelites "saw the God of Israel" under His feet, which stands in contrast to the claim that no man has seen God at any time.

Exodus 24:10: And they saw the God of Israel: and [there was] under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in [his] clearness.

Contradiction with Judges 13:22

Manoah says to his wife that they shall surely die because they have seen God, which conflicts with the idea of no man having seen God.

Judges 13:22: And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction in this verse could be about the concept of not having seen God and yet being asked to love others as a way of knowing God. Some might see inconsistency in believing strongly in something or someone unseen and basing actions and relationships on that belief. This can lead to a conflict between faith and the demand for tangible evidence.

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