The aroist tense: did not know, from the beginning. He never knew.
Is love (ἀγάπη ἐστίν)
See on God is light (1Jo 1:5), and the truth (1Jo 1:6); also God is spirit (Joh 4:24). Spirit and light are expressions of God's essential nature. Love is the expression of His personality corresponding to His nature. See on love of God (1Jo 2:5). Truth and love stand related to each other. Loving is the condition of knowing.