1 John 4:21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:21

That he who loveth God love his brother also. This is the great commandment, on which hang all the Law and the prophets ( Matthew 22:37 , Matthew 22:39 ; Luke 10:27 ; John 13:34 ), and, whatever we may think of the relation between seeing and loving, there is the Divine command to love, not only the invisible God, but the visible brother in whom the invisible God dwells. Sight may hinder as well as help; it is hard to love what is squalid and hideous. In such cases let us remember... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:21

And this commandment have we from him - That is, the command to love a brother is as obligatory as that to love God. If one is obeyed, the other ought to be also; if a man feels that one is binding on him, he should feel that the other is also; and he can never have evidence that he is a true Christian, unless he manifests love to his brethren as well as love to God. See the notes at James 2:10.That he who loveth God love his brother also - See the notes at John 13:34-35. Compare John 15:12,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:20-21

1 John 4:20-21. If any man say, I love God And even say it with the utmost confidence; and hateth his brother Which he will do more or less, if he do not love him; he is a liar He affirms what is false, although, perhaps, he may not know it to be so; for he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen Who is daily presented to his senses to raise his esteem, or move his kindness or compassion toward him; how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? Whose excellences are not the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:7-21

The character of Christian love (4:7-5:5)It is God’s nature to love. Love in human nature has been spoiled by sin, but when people are born again by the work of God, they learn to love as God loves (7-8). The character of God’s love is seen in his act of giving his Son to die for those who have rebelled against him. They are worthy of death, but Jesus died to bear the judgment of sin on their behalf. As a result they can now have life (9-10). People cannot see God, but they can see that he... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 4:21

from . App-104 . Compare 1 John 3:11 , 3 John 1:13; 3 John 1:13 :34 ; John 15:12 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 John 4:21

And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.This verse almost certainly relates to the great summary of all the law and the prophets as given by Jesus Christ in these words:The first (and great commandment) is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God, the Lord is one; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:21

21. Besides the argument ( :-) from the common feeling of men, he here adds a stronger one from God's express commandment ( :-). He who loves, will do what the object of his love wishes. he who loveth God—he who wishes to be regarded by God as loving Him. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 4:21

Furthermore, God commanded us to love both Himself and our brothers, not just Himself (1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:23-24; 1 John 5:3). Here is another false claim (cf. 1 John 1:6; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:10; 1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:9; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 5:10)."Much verbal expression of devotion for the person of Christ can co-exist with remarkably un-Christian attitudes toward the people of Christ . . ." [Note: Bruce, p. 115.] "It is easy to have a kind of love for God which does not recognize... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 4:1-21

Fellowship with God in Love1. Try the spirits] RV ’Prove the spirits.’ The verb is used of testing metals. 2, 3. See on 2 John 1:7. 3. Confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh] RV ’confesseth not Jesus.’4. He that is in the world] the Devil: cp. 1 John 3:10; John 8:44; John 12:31. 5. They] the false prophets. 6. We] the Christian teachers.8. God is love] the third fundamental maxim (see Intro.). Love is not merely an attribute of God, it is His very Being. Hence to be without love... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 John 4:7-21

(7) THE PERFECT LOVE THE SUREST TEST (1 John 4:7-21).(a)Fraternal love the necessary product of the true knowledge of God, because God is love (1 John 4:7-8).(b)The grand recent historical exhibition of God’s love (1 John 4:9-10).(c)Our consequent duty (1 John 4:11).(d)God’s abode in us, the perfecting of His love in us, and the proof of His presence through the Spirit, are the equivalent for seeing Him (1 John 4:12-13).(e)All this is grounded on the strong, undeniable truth of the Apostolic... read more

Group of Brands