Dwelling and abiding

Meaning

Dwelling first describes God’s intended presence and activity in believing hearts. The preceding order is explicit: God initially bestows the inward light through true faith; the Word read, heard and preached supplies means and assistance; then the Holy Spirit kindles it in the dark yet believing heart, compared to tinder. God thereafter works and dwells there. Later, abiding in love is described through reciprocal dwelling in God and God in the believer. This is not simply a private feeling: the second passage connects love with keeping the Word, obedience, prayer and good works towards the visible neighbour. The English’s “abides” emphasizes continued relation, while “make our dwelling” retains the domestic image. The text’s comparison with Father and Son must be read as incorporation and participation, not as a claim that every believer becomes an additional divine person.