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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/4-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/62_1Jn_04_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 4:20 - Love Comes from God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If anyone says, I love God, but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_john/4-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_john/4-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_john/">1 John</a> > <a href="/1_john/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_john/4-19.htm" title="1 John 4:19">◄</a> 1 John 4:20 <a href="/1_john/4-21.htm" title="1 John 4:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_john/4.htm">New International Version</a> Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. <a href="/nlt/1_john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> If 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? <a href="/esv/1_john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If anyone should say, "I love God," and should hate his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving his brother, whom he has seen, is not able to love God, whom he has not seen. <a href="/kjv/1_john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? <a href="/nkjv/1_john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? <a href="/nasb_/1_john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. <a href="/nasb/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> If someone says, &#8220I love God,&#8221 and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/nasb77/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/lsb/1_john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/amp/1_john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/csb/1_john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/hcsb/1_john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone says, &#8220I love God,&#8221 yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen. <a href="/asv/1_john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. <a href="/cev/1_john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see? <a href="/erv/1_john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. <a href="/gwt/1_john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Whoever says, "I love God," but hates another believer is a liar. People who don't love other believers, whom they have seen, can't love God, whom they have not seen. <a href="/gnt/1_john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen. <a href="/isv/1_john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Whoever says, "I love God," but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love the God whom he has not seen. <a href="/msb/1_john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If anyone says, ?I love God,? but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, how can he love God, whom he has not seen? <a href="/net/1_john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> If anyone says "I love God" and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/nheb/1_john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/wbt/1_john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> If a man sayeth, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If any one says that he loves God, while he hates his brother man, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother man whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/web/1_john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> if anyone may say, “I love God,” and may hate his brother, he is a liar; for he who is not loving his brother whom he has seen, how is he able to love God whom he has not seen? <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If anyone should say, "I love God," and should hate his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving his brother, whom he has seen, is not able to love God, whom he has not seen. <a href="/ylt/1_john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> if any one may say -- 'I love God,' and his brother he may hate, a liar he is; for he who is not loving his brother whom he hath seen, God -- whom he hath not seen -- how is he able to love? <a href="/slt/1_john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> If any say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for he not loving his brother whom he has seen, God whom he has not seen, how can he love?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God, whom he seeth not? <a href="/cpdv/1_john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> If anyone says that he loves God, but hates his brother, then he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he does see, in what way can he love God, whom he does not see? <a href="/nabre/1_john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> If a man say, I love God, and yet hates his brother, he is a liar: for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But if a man will say, “I love God”, and he hates his brother, he is lying; for he who does not love his brother who is visible, how is it possible for him to love God who is invisible?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> If any man say, I love God, and yet hate his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother, whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? <a href="/godbey/1_john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> If any one may say, I love God with divine love, and may hate his brother, he is a liar: for the one not loving his brother whom he has seen, with divine love, is not able to love God, whom he has not seen, with divine love. <a href="/haweis/1_john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> If any person say, I love God, yet hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he who loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love the God whom he hath not seen? <a href="/mace/1_john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> if a man says he loves God, and yet hates his brother, he is a lyar: for he that does not love his brother, who is before his eyes, how can he love God who is invisible? <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If any one says that he loves God, while he hates his brother man, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother man whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. <a href="/worrell/1_john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God Whom he has not seen. <a href="/worsley/1_john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for how can he, that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? <a href="/parallel/1_john/4-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlZ5ywDtQGE?start=870" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Love Comes from God</a> …19We love because He first loved us. 20<a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: Ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipē (V-ASA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">says,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: Agapō (V-PIA-1S) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">“I love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,”</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3404.htm" title="3404: misē (V-PSA-3S) -- To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.">hates</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphon (N-AMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">he is</a> <a href="/greek/5583.htm" title="5583: pseustēs (N-NMS) -- A liar, deceiver. From pseudomai; a falsifier.">a liar.</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">anyone who</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: agapōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">does not love</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphon (N-AMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hon (RelPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whom</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: heōraken (V-RIA-3S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">he has seen,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">cannot</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: agapan (V-PNA) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hon (RelPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whom</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: heōraken (V-RIA-3S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">he has not seen.</a> 21And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ <a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a> A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” <a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14-17</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ... <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a> If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43-44</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ / But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a> But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9-10</a> The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a> The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” <a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-3</a> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. <a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Ephesians 4:31-32</a> Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm">Colossians 3:12-14</a> Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a> Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Leviticus 19:17-18</a> You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. / Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a> And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?a man.<a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">1 John 2:4</a> He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.<a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a> But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?not.<a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12</a> No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/1_john/4-19.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/2-10.htm">Loves</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-19.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jude/1-23.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/1_john/5-2.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_john/4-21.htm">Loves</a> <a href="/revelation/1-13.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/2_john/1-10.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">1 John 4</div>1. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;</a> 7. <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">and exhorts to brotherly love.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If anyone says, “I love God,” This phrase challenges the authenticity of one's professed love for God. In the biblical context, love for God is not merely a verbal declaration but is demonstrated through actions and obedience (<a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>). The Shema, a central declaration of faith in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>, emphasizes loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, which implies a holistic commitment that transcends mere words.but hates his brother, The term "brother" here refers to fellow believers, emphasizing the familial bond within the Christian community. Hatred is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus, who commanded love for one another (<a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a>). In the cultural context of the early church, divisions and conflicts were common, and this admonition serves as a corrective to such behavior. The Greek word for hate, "miseo," implies a strong aversion or detest, which is incompatible with Christian love.he is a liar. This statement is a direct and uncompromising assessment of the inconsistency between professing love for God while harboring hatred. The term "liar" is used elsewhere in 1 John (1:6, 2:4) to describe those who claim fellowship with God but walk in darkness. It underscores the importance of integrity and truthfulness in the believer's life, reflecting the nature of God, who is truth (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).For anyone who does not love his brother, This phrase reiterates the necessity of love within the Christian community. The early church faced challenges of unity, as seen in the disputes between Jewish and Gentile believers (Acts 15). Love is the fulfillment of the law (<a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a>) and is essential for maintaining the unity and witness of the church.whom he has seen, The tangible presence of fellow believers makes the command to love them more immediate and practical. In the historical context, the early Christians lived in close-knit communities where daily interactions were common. This visibility makes the failure to love more evident and inexcusable.cannot love God, This phrase presents a logical and spiritual impossibility. The love of God is inherently linked to love for others, as God is love (1 <a href="/john/4-8.htm">John 4:8</a>). The inability to love those who are seen reflects a deficiency in one's relationship with God. This connection is echoed in Jesus' teaching that the greatest commandments are to love God and love one's neighbor (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a>).whom he has not seen. The unseen nature of God requires faith (<a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11:1</a>), and love for God is expressed through obedience and love for others (1 <a href="/john/5-2.htm">John 5:2-3</a>). The historical context of the early church, which faced persecution and trials, necessitated a strong, visible demonstration of love as a testimony to their faith in the unseen God. This principle is a call to genuine, active love that reflects the character of God, who first loved us (1 <a href="/john/4-19.htm">John 4:19</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a> The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth in his writings. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The audience of John's letter, consisting of early Christians who were facing challenges such as false teachings and divisions within the community. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure in this passage, representing the ultimate source of love and the one whom believers claim to love. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_brother.htm">The Brother</a> Refers to fellow believers or, more broadly, to others within the community of faith whom one is called to love. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_concept_of_love.htm">The Concept of Love</a> A recurring theme in John's writings, emphasizing the importance of genuine love as evidence of one's relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_inseparability_of_love_for_god_and_others.htm">The Inseparability of Love for God and Others</a> True love for God is evidenced by love for others. One cannot claim to love God while harboring hatred for a brother or sister in Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_visibility_of_love.htm">The Visibility of Love</a> Love for others is a tangible expression of our love for God. Since we cannot see God, our love for Him is demonstrated through our actions towards those we can see. <a href="/topical/t/the_deception_of_empty_words.htm">The Deception of Empty Words</a> Claiming to love God without loving others is self-deception. Our actions must align with our words to reflect genuine faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_self-examination.htm">The Call to Self-Examination</a> Believers are encouraged to examine their relationships and attitudes towards others, ensuring that they reflect the love of God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit empowers believers to love others genuinely, overcoming natural inclinations towards hatred or indifference.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 John 4</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_hate.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on hate?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_misanthropy_and_misanthropes.htm">What defines misanthropy and a misanthropic person?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'sinning_willfully'_mean.htm">Are white supremacists considered Christian?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_top_priority.htm">What should be your top priority according to the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - Ebrard and others make a new section begin here; but verses 21, 22 are in intimate connexion with what precedes. What is this love of which the apostle has been speaking? Is it the love of' God or of our fellow-men? Both; love of our brethren is organically bound up with love of God. To love God and hate one's brother is impossible. Sight, though not necessary to affection, aids it; and it is therefore easier to love men than God. If a man fails in the easier, will he succeed in the harder? Moreover, to hate one's brother is to hate God. "Whoso rejecteth you rejecteth me, and whoso rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me." Note the negative, μή not οὐ. St. John has no definite person in view as ὁ οὐκ ἀγαπῶν, but any one who may happen to be of such a character, ὁ μὴ ἀγαπην. As before, ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν and ὁ μισῶν are treated as equivalent; there is no neutral term between "love" and "hate." <a href="/commentaries/1_john/4-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If Ἐάν (Ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. says, εἴπῃ (eipē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “I love Ἀγαπῶ (Agapō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. God,” Θεόν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. hates μισῇ (misē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3404.htm">Strong's 3404: </a> To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. brother, ἀδελφὸν (adelphon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. he is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a liar. ψεύστης (pseustēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5583.htm">Strong's 5583: </a> A liar, deceiver. From pseudomai; a falsifier. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. anyone who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. does not love ἀγαπῶν (agapōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. brother, ἀδελφὸν (adelphon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. whom ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. he has seen, ἑώρακεν (heōraken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. cannot δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. love ἀγαπᾶν (agapan) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. God, Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. whom ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. he has not seen. ἑώρακεν (heōraken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 4:20 If a man says I love God (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/4-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 4:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 4:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/4-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 4:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 4:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>