1 John 5:3

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 5:3-4

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 5:3

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 5:3

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 5:3

Verse 3 3His commandments are not grievous This has been added, lest difficulties, as it is usually the case, should damp or lessen our zeal. For they who with a cheerful mind and great ardor have pursued a godly and holy life, afterwards grow weary, finding their strength inadequate. Therefore John, in order to rouse our efforts, says that God’s commandments are not grievous. But it may, on the other hand, be objected and said that we have found it far otherwise by experience, and that... 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 is the source of love. 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 5:3

Reason for the preceding statement. "For the love of God consists in this ( 1 John 4:17 ), that we keep his commandments: and these are not grievous." These are the words, not merely of an inspired apostle, but of an aged man, with a wide experience of life and its difficulties. "Difficult" is a relative term, depending upon the relation between the thing to be done and the powers of the doer of it. The Christian, whose will is united with the will of God, will not find obedience to that... read more

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