God Is Love
One of the oldest surviving witnesses to 1 John — and the words “God is love” — copied in a plain, untrained hand. Reproduced at true scale on genuine Egyptian papyrus, both sides in screw-down acrylic.
& 4:14–17
Egypt
Harvard Univ.
The plainest hand,
the greatest words.
Three words sit at the heart of this leaf: “God is love.” Around them, John's argument turns simple and inescapable — no one has seen God, yet if we love one another, God remains in us. This is the passage the whole New Testament seems to be reaching toward, preserved here on one of its oldest surviving pages.
And the hand that copied it was not a professional. 𝒫9 is known among papyrologists for its irregular, untrained writing — evidence that not every ancient scribe was a trained expert. Ordinary believers copied and treasured these texts too. There is something fitting in that: the words “God is love” written out not by a master calligrapher, but by someone who simply wanted them kept.
From the apostle's century to yours
God is love
The two sides of the leaf, side by side.
1 John 4:11–12
“Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us.”
1 John 4:16
“God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.”
Made by hand, made to order.
Catalogued as Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 402, 𝒫9 is prized both for its early date and for its irregular handwriting. To papyrologists that untrained hand is evidence: these texts were treasured and copied across every level of the early church, not only in professional scriptoria.
5 out of 5
The P9 I received was absolutely amazing. I got it as a gift for my boss. She absolutely loves it. I do wish the stand clicked together in a more permanent manner, but it serves its purpose. 100% would recommend.
The piece is absolutely exquisite! I ordered it as an anniversary gift, and it arrived right on time. The customer service was superb when I thought I had an issue with the piece, and they were extremely helpful in rectifying the matter. I would order from here again in a heartbeat.
Good replica. Came on time, good quality and a great gift for the wife.
Once again another great piece, thanks Gary!
Common questions
Is the display stand included?
The stand is optional. Choose “Add display stand” (+$10) to have it shown upright as in the photos, or “Replica only” for the framed piece on its own.
Is it really made on papyrus?
Yes — every replica is reproduced on genuine Egyptian papyrus, then set by hand in a front-and-back screw-down acrylic display so both sides are visible.
How long does it take to ship?
Each piece is made to order through a multi-week hand-replication process. Your exact timeline is shown at checkout, and we ship to the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Can I see the text translated?
Yes — every leaf has a companion reading page with a full interlinear transcription and translation, letter by letter.
“God is love,” from one
of its oldest pages — on your shelf.
Museum-grade, made to order, and framed to be read from both sides.
