1 John 4:21

1 John 4:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
• New International Version (NIV)And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Context of 1 John 4:21

19We love each other because he loved us first. 20If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

1 John 4:21 word by word

καὶ ταύτην τὴν ἐντολὴν ἔχομεν ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ, ἵνα ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν θεὸν ἀγαπᾷ καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• commandmentὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• commandmentἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785
• have weἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• he who lovethἀγαπάωagapaō · to loveG25
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• brotherἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80

Cross-references for 1 John 4:21

• 1 John 4:11Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
• 1 John 3:11This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
• Leviticus 19:18“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
• Matthew 22:37Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
• Mark 12:29Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.
• Luke 10:37The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
• John 13:34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
• John 15:12This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
• Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
• Romans 13:9For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
• Galatians 5:6For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.
• 1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
• 1 Peter 4:8Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Commentaries on 1 John 4:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21This commandment have we - We should love one another, and love our neighbor as ourselves. The love of God and the love of man can never be separated; he who loves God will love his brother; he who loves his brother gives this proof that he loves God, because he loves with a measure of that love which, in its infinitude, dwells in God.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21And 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession includes faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-21John explains where a Christian’s love comes from and how it is shown in daily life.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Besides the argument (1Jo 4:20) from the common feeling of men, he here adds a stronger one from God's express commandment (Mt 22:39). 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 the comment

Topics related to 1 John 4:21

• Commandments
• Love
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Benevolence
• Fear
• Love
• Perfect
• Also
• John, the Epistles of

Commentaries on 1 John 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings