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Matthew Henry

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

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

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

John Calvin

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

Verse 2 2By this we know He briefly shows in these words what true love is, even that which is towards God. He has hitherto taught us that there is never a true love to God, except when our brethren are also loved; for this is ever its effect. But he now teaches us that men are rightly and duly loved, when God holds the primacy. And it is a necessary definition; for it often happens, that we love men apart from God, as unholy and carnal friendships regard only private advantages or some other... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-3

The reason, and the evidence of brotherly love. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God," etc. Our text is vitally related to the last two verses of the preceding chapter. To our mind it presents two important aspects of love amongst Christian brethren. I. THE REASON OF THE OBLIGATION OF BROTHERLY LOVE . The duty to love our Christian brethren is here based upon our common relation to God. The order of the apostle's thought seems to be this: 1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-5

The victory of faith. Connecting link: The preceding chapter closed with a statement of the two-foldness of love, showing us that love of our brother must follow our love to God, and is, in fact, the commanded and the only outward expression thereof. But, so far, at any rate, as our redeemed brethren in Christ are concerned, they being believers in Christ have been begotten of God. Consequently they are members of one family with us. And every one who loves the Father will, as a matter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:1-12

Faith and the Divine testimony. I. FAITH . 1 . A common faith with a common life is the foundation of brotherly love. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." A general aspect is given to the truth. Given a person who (according to what John has formerly taught) believes that Jesus is the Christ, it can be said of him that he is begetter, of God, i.e., is the subject of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 5:2

Another mark by which we can test our love towards the brethren. In 1 John 5:1 faith in the Incarnation is shown to involve this love. Here obedience to God is the test. To obey God proves love to him, and this again involves love of his children. read more

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