1 John 5:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

I. The apostle having, in the conclusion of the last chapter, as was there observed, urged Christian love upon those two accounts, as suitable to Christian profession and as suitable to the divine command, here adds a third: Such love is suitable, and indeed demanded, by their eminent relation; our Christian brethren or fellow-believers are nearly related to God; they are his children: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, 1 John 5:1. Here the Christian brother is, 1.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 5:1-2

5:1-2 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has experienced the birth which comes from God; and everyone who loves the father loves the child. This is how we know that we must be loving the children of God, whenever we love God and keep his commandments. As John wrote this passage, there were two things in the background of his mind. (i) There was the great fact which was the basis of all his thinking, the fact that love of God and love of man are inseparable parts of the same... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 5:3-4

5:3-4a For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments; and his commandments are not heavy, because everything that is born of God conquers the world. John reverts to an idea which is never far from the surface of his mind. Obedience is the only proof of love. We cannot prove our love to anyone other than by seeking to please him and bring him joy. Then John quite suddenly says a most surprising thing. God's commandments, he says, are not heavy. We must note two general... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 5:1

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ ,.... Or the Messiah that was prophesied of old, was long promised to the Jews, and whom they expected; there was a person spoken of in the writings of the Old Testament under this character, Psalm 2:2 ; and the Jews looked for him; and Jesus of Nazareth is he, as appears by all the characteristics of the Messiah in prophecy being found upon him: this the Jews deny, but is the grand article of faith embraced by the apostles and followers of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 5:2

By this we know that we are the children God ,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "by this know that we love God"; which, in connection with what follows, makes a tautology, and is a proving "idem per idem": whereas the apostle's view is to show when love to the saints is right; and that is, when we love God, and keep his commandments : love to the brethren may arise from such a cause, as may show that it is not brotherly love, or of a spiritual kind; it may arise from natural relation, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments ,.... Keeping of the commandments of God is an evidence of love to God; this shows that love is not in word and tongue, in profession only, but in deed and in truth; and that such persons have a sense of the love of God upon their souls, under the influence of which they act; and such shall have, and may expect to have, greater manifestations of the love of God unto them: and his commandments are not grievous ; heavy, burdensome,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:1

Whosoever believeth, etc. - Expressions of this kind are to be taken in connection with the subjects necessarily implied in them. He that believeth that Jesus is the Messiah, and confides in him for the remission of sins, is begotten of God; and they who are pardoned and begotten of God love him in return for his love, and love all those who are his children. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:2

By this we know that we love the children of God - Our love of God's followers is a proof that we love God. Our love to God is the cause why we love his children, and our keeping the commandments of God is the proof that we love him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God - This the love of God necessarily produces. It is vain to pretend love to God while we live in opposition to his will. His commandments - To love him with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, are not grievous - are not burdensome; for no man is burdened with the duties which his own love imposes. The old proverb explains the meaning of the apostle's words, Love feels no loads. Love to God brings strength from God; through his love and his strength,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 5:1

Verse 1 1Whosoever believeth He confirms by another reason, that faith and brotherly love are united; for since God regenerates us by faith he must necessarily be loved by us as a Father; and this love embraces all his children. Then faith cannot be separated from love. The first truth is, that all born of God, believe that Jesus is the Christ; where, again, you see that Christ alone is set forth as the object of faith, as in him it finds righteousness, life, and every blessing that can be... read more

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