1 John 4 21

1 John 4:21 kjv

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 John 4:21 nkjv

And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

1 John 4:21 niv

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:21 esv

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 4:21 nlt

And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

1 John 4 verses

1 John 4 21 Meaning

First John 4:21 delivers a pivotal divine command: those who genuinely claim to love God are obligated to extend love to their fellow believers. It unequivocally links the vertical relationship with God to the horizontal relationship with one's "brother," presenting them not as distinct choices, but as two inseparable facets of authentic Christian life. The verse culminates John's argument throughout the chapter, asserting that true love for the unseen God is proven by demonstrable love for the seen brethren, rooted in the very nature of God, who is love.

1 John 4 21 Context

First John 4:21 stands as the concluding statement of a profound exposition on the nature of love in 1 John chapter 4. The apostle John has been ardently guiding his readers to discern true spiritual teachers from false ones and, fundamentally, to understand the source and evidence of genuine faith. He establishes God as the ultimate source and embodiment of love ("God is love," 1 Jn 4:8, 16). The preceding verses emphasize that human love for one another is a direct outflow and evidence of God's indwelling love (1 Jn 4:7, 12). Importantly, verse 20 serves as the immediate precursor, providing the sharpest logical bridge: "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?" Verse 21 then seals this argument with the explicit divine command, reaffirming that this dual love is not an option but an obligation from God Himself, distinguishing true believers from those espousing empty claims or heretical doctrines that foster division and unconcern. Historically, the audience was likely grappling with emerging Gnostic or proto-Gnostic influences that divorced spirituality from ethical behavior and could lead to disdain for others, making this command a critical corrective.

1 John 4 21 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ, Kai): Connects this command seamlessly to the preceding verses and arguments, particularly the logic presented in verse 20. It shows continuation and summation.
• this (ταύτην, tautēn): Points directly back to the idea of loving one's brother, highlighting it as the specific subject of the commandment. It signifies a clear, definite instruction.
• commandment (ἐντολὴν, entolēn): This word signifies a divine injunction, a precept, or an authoritative order. It implies obligation and duty, not merely a suggestion. It underscores the weight and imperative nature of the directive.
• we have (ἔχομεν, echomen): Indicates possession or reception. It implies that this command has been given to believers, a privilege and a responsibility they now bear.
• from Him (ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ, ap’ autou): Designates the origin or source. "Him" refers back to God (or Christ, as the one who makes God known), reinforcing the divine authority and sacred nature of this command. It's not a human idea but a heavenly decree.
• that (ἵνα, hina): Introduces the content of the command, acting as a conjunction meaning "in order that" or "so that," implying purpose or result, but here detailing the content of the injunction.
• he who loves (ὁ ἀγαπῶν, ho agapōn): A present participle, indicating an ongoing action or a characteristic state of being. It refers to someone who claims or genuinely endeavors to have agape love for God. Agape is self-sacrificial, unconditional love, often distinct from other forms of love.
• God (τὸν Θεόν, ton Theon): Refers to the ultimate divine being. The verse assumes the professed love for God.
• must love (ἀγαπᾷ, agapa): This is a strong imperative, indicated by the construction following hina. It conveys absolute necessity or obligation. If one does the former, they must also do the latter.
• his brother (τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ton adelphon autou): "Brother" (adelphos) in John's context primarily denotes a fellow Christian, a member of the family of God, one born of God. It highlights the internal community of believers.
• also (καὶ, kai): Signifies "and" or "too," emphasizing the inseparable connection and equivalence. Love for God is linked hand-in-hand with love for fellow believers.

Words-group analysis:

• "And this commandment we have from Him": This phrase establishes the divine authority and the binding nature of the instruction. It's not a mere suggestion, but a fundamental divine injunction passed down directly from God or Christ. This authoritative tone strengthens the argument made previously about the necessity of love for the brethren.
• "that he who loves God must love his brother also": This forms the core substance of the commandment. It succinctly declares the non-negotiable, inseparable nature of vertical love (for God) and horizontal love (for fellow believers). The construction implies an internal consistency is demanded: a claim to love God is invalid without visible, practical love for one's "brother." It challenges hypocrisy and emphasizes the practical outworking of faith.

1 John 4 21 Bonus section

• The agape love commanded here is a self-sacrificial, benevolent love that wills the good of the other, mirroring the very love with which God loves humanity (1 Jn 4:9-10). It is a divine enablement, not just a human effort.
• This command is often referred to as the "new commandment" that Jesus gave (Jn 13:34), new not in principle (as love for neighbor was in the OT, Lev 19:18) but in its scope (as Christ loved) and its identification with the New Covenant community.
• The phrase "from Him" could refer specifically to Jesus Christ, given His emphasis on love for one another (Jn 13:34; 15:12, 17) and His role in revealing God's will. Alternatively, it refers to God the Father, underscoring the Trinitarian nature of love as originating in the Godhead and manifested through Christ.
• The verse combats any form of spiritual pride or elitism that might lead individuals to believe their special relationship with God exempted them from mundane obligations like brotherly love. It grounds all spiritual claims in the tangible reality of community life.
• This principle ensures that the Christian faith is profoundly relational, not purely individualistic, pushing believers towards active participation in a loving, mutually supportive body.

1 John 4 21 Commentary

First John 4:21 encapsulates the very essence of practical Christianity. It is not merely a piece of moral advice, but an imperative stemming directly from the divine nature of God, who is love. John makes it unequivocally clear: one cannot credibly claim to love an unseen God while simultaneously harboring hatred or apathy towards a seen fellow believer. The love for God and the love for our Christian brethren are two sides of the same coin, intrinsically linked by God's own character and commandment. This divine principle underscores that authentic faith is never just about theological profession, but about ethical transformation reflected in how we relate to those around us, especially within the family of God. It warns against a compartmentalized spirituality where abstract piety neglects tangible compassion and care for one's community, reinforcing the teaching of Jesus regarding the two greatest commandments.