Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 John 4:21
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
21. And this commandment have we ] The Apostle drives home his arguments for the practice of brotherly love by the fact that God has commanded all who love Him to love their brethren. Some take ‘Him’ to mean Christ. But this is unlikely, as Christ has not been mentioned for several verses: although it must be admitted that S. John is so full of the truth that ‘I and My Father are one’, that he makes the transition from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the Father almost unconsciously. Where has God given this commandment? In the whole Law, which is summed up in loving God with all one’s heart and one’s neighbour as oneself (Deu 6:5; Lev 19:18; Luk 10:27). The Apostle thus anticipates a possible objection. A man may say ‘I can love God without loving my brother, and I can prove my love by keeping His commandments’ (Joh 14:15). ‘Nay’, says S. John, ‘your own argument shews your error: you cannot keep His commandments without loving your brother’. Thus then we have two revelations of God: our brother, who is His image; and His commandment, which is His will. Not to love our brother is a flagrant violation of both. As Pascal puts it, we must know men in order to love them, but we must love God in order to know Him.
that he who loveth God love his brother also ] “The final particle ( ) gives more than the simple contents of the commandment. It marks the injunction as directed to an aim” (Westcott). See on 1Jn 1:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And 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 Jam 2:10.
That he who loveth God love his brother also – See the notes at Joh 13:34-35. Compare Joh 15:12, Joh 15:17.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 21. This commandment have we] We should love one another, and love our neighbour 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Both ought to be conjoined, being required both by the same authority.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. Besides the argument (1Jo4:20) from the common feeling of men, he here adds a stronger onefrom God’s express commandment (Mt22:39). He who loves, will do what the object of his love wishes.
he who loveth Godhewho wishes to be regarded by God as loving Him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And this commandment have we from him,…. Either “from God”, as the Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin version read; and that to love the brethren is a commandment of God, is clear from 1Jo 3:23; or from Christ, for it is also a command of his, even his new commandment, which he has given, and his people have received from him:
that he who loveth God, love his brother also; see Joh 13:34; which is an argument persuading to attend to the one as well as to the other; for the same command that requires the one, requires the other: and he that transgresses it in one case, is a transgressor of it, as well as in the other.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
That (). Sub-final object clause in apposition with as in John 13:34; John 15:13.
From him (‘ ). Either God or Christ. See Mr 12:29-31 for this old commandment (2:7f.).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
That [] . Not defining the contents of the commandment, but expressing intent. Compare Joh 13:34, and see on Joh 14:13. His brother. “To the persecutor Saul, Christ said, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? I have ascended into heaven, yet still I lie upon earth. Here I sit at the right hand of the Father; there I still hunger, thirst, and am a stranger ‘” (Augustine).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And this commandment have we from him” (Greek kai tauten) and this – (ten entolen echomen) the commandment we have, hold, or possess (apo autou) from Him – From God through His son, Divinely dispatched.
2) “That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (Greek hina) means “in order that” (Greek ho agapon ton theon) the one loving the God (agapa) should love (or loves) (Greek kai (also) ton adelphon autou) the brother of him or his brother. Genuine, Divine love, manifested in love’s service and fellowship of believers toward each other validates to the world true discipleship, Joh 13:34-35. To neglect to cultivate this fellowship causes a cloud, a mist, a fog of doubt to overshadow the life of the professor, and men to question his integrity. 1Jn 3:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
21 And this commandment This is a stronger argument, drawn from the authority and doctrine of Christ; for he not only gave a commandment respecting the love of God, but bade us also to love our brethren. We must therefore so begin with God, as that there may be at the same time a transition made to men.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
21. And this whole doctrine of love takes the form of a commandment. Not only we may, but we must. It is a divine invariable law, that the lover of God be a lover of his brother. Our highest blessedness is our highest duty.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And this commandment have we from him, that he who loves God love his brother also.’
So God has made it a command. God commands us to love such brothers. So it is not only logically and spiritually necessary, it is commanded. We have no choice in the matter. We are to be as one (Joh 17:20-23), because he has commanded it. But it should be noted of what this love consists, it consists of the keeping of the commandments (1Jn 5:2-3). It is a noble, moral love that seeks wholly the good of the one loved. It is an essential part of God’s whole purposes.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Jn 4:21 . Alterum argumentum cur amare proximum (or, more correctly: fratrem) debeamus: quia Deus id praecepit (Grotius).
] not = and yet (Paulus); for this verse does not contain an antithesis, but an expansion of the preceding thought.
. . .] Lange interprets here by: “teaching;” and Grotius paraphrases by: qui a Deo pro amante ipsius haberi vult; both false and unnecessary; for although brotherly love is the natural fruit and activity of love to God, yet at the same time the practice of it is the habitual task which he who loves God has to perform, as one appointed him by God. It is doubtful whether we are to understand by God (Baumgarten-Crusius, de Wette, Dsterdieck, etc.) or Christ; that in the latter case must be read is unfounded; because follows, the second view seems to be the more correct; but as in the context there is no reference here at all to Christ, it might be safer to understand by God.
By referring back to , it is here, as frequently after verbs of wishing and commanding, not so much the purpose as the purport of the commandment (the realization of which is certainly the aim and object of the commandment) that is stated, which Braune here also incorrectly disputes.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
REFLECTIONS
What a relief is it to the child of God, amidst all the antichrists, and false prophets and teachers, which the latter day dispensation is to bring forth, that Jesus hath said, though if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect; yet this assurance confirms their safety in Jesus, they shall not. Whither but for this, might a believer be tossed about, with every wind of doctrine, and the cunning craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive? Blessed God the Spirit! be thou everlastingly praised, and loved, and adored, for what thou hast taught the Church in this precious Chapter! Here from thee, thy regenerated people learn, that the knowledge of Christ being come in the flesh, having proclaimed redemption in his blood, and regenerating the souls of his redeemed, by his holy Spirit; becomes an infallible security, against all the awful heresies abounding, in this Christ-despising generation. Lord! let thy children know, and especially thy little children, that we have overcome the whole enemies of our salvation in our new birth. Greater is he that is in us, than all that is in the world. And oh! for the Lord to shed, abroad his love in our hearts, that we may love him who hath first loved us. And, do thou grant, gracious God, that in thy strength we may have boldness, looking forward to that great day of our God, that when he shall appear, who is our life our portion, our righteousness, and complete justification; we may confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. For as he is, so are we in this world!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Ver. 21. And this commandment we have from him ] Lo, here a singular evidence of God’s great love to us, that he commandeth us also the love of our neighbour as well as of himself: quasi non tam de se amando fuerit sollicitus, quam de proximo nostro diligendo, saith Aretius. Our Saviour therefore, summing up the law, joineth those two precepts, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all,” &c., and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Yea, God prefers mercy before sacrifice; and is content that his own immediate service should be intermitted, rather than offices of love to our brother omitted. “Leave there thy gift, and go thy way; first be reconciled,” Mat 5:24 .
Love his brother also ] If he be a good man, love him in God; if bad, for God.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
21 .] And besides this argument from common sense, there is another most powerful one, which the Apostle here adds. “Quomodo diligis eum, cujus odisti prceptum?” as Aug [73] And this commandment we have from Him (God: not, Christ: see below), that he who loveth God, love also his brother (where have we this commandment? In the great summary of the law, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself,” so often cited by our Lord; see Mat 22:37-39 ).
[73] Augustine, Bp. of Hippo , 395 430
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Jn 4:21 . The Old Commandment. Cf. 1Jn 2:7-11 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
from. App-104. Compare 1Jn 3:11, 1Jn 3:23. Joh 13:34; Joh 15:12.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
21.] And besides this argument from common sense, there is another most powerful one, which the Apostle here adds. Quomodo diligis eum, cujus odisti prceptum? as Aug[73] And this commandment we have from Him (God: not, Christ: see below), that he who loveth God, love also his brother (where have we this commandment? In the great summary of the law, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself, so often cited by our Lord; see Mat 22:37-39).
[73] Augustine, Bp. of Hippo, 395-430
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Jn 4:21. , the precept) which must be kept by those who love God: Mat 22:39. [He who loves not his brother, does not keep the commandment as to , and therefore does not love GOD.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Jo 4:11, 1Jo 3:11, 1Jo 3:14, 1Jo 3:18, 1Jo 3:23, Lev 19:18, Mat 22:37-39, Mar 12:29-33, Luk 10:37, Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35, Joh 15:12, Rom 12:9, Rom 12:10, Rom 13:9, Rom 13:10, Gal 5:6, Gal 5:14, 1Th 4:9, 1Pe 3:8, 1Pe 4:8
Reciprocal: Gen 13:8 – brethren Pro 14:31 – but Mat 5:22 – his brother Mat 25:40 – Inasmuch Mar 12:31 – Thou 1Co 13:2 – and have Gal 6:2 – the law Eph 1:15 – love Eph 5:2 – walk Col 3:14 – charity Heb 13:1 – General 1Pe 1:22 – unto 2Pe 1:7 – charity 1Jo 2:8 – a new 1Jo 3:10 – neither 1Jo 4:7 – let 1Jo 5:2 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
GODS LOVE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL
And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1Jn 4:21
It does not need, in order to calls Gods attention, that a whole nation or an entire Church should turn from sin and set itself to serve Almighty God. There is joy in heaven for one sinner that repenteth.
I. Let us think of this individual love of God for a mans soul.It is revealed most plainly to us by our Blessed Lord Himself in His work and in His teaching on earth. Again and again we must be struck as we read the Gospels by seeing how our Lord thought it worth while to give Himself wholly to, to concentrate His entire attention for the time on, one individualsome particular sufferer, it might be, in soul, in mind, or in body. And so, though it is true that at times our Blessed Lord preached to the great multitudesthat He would work His miracles before thousandsyet we know that the souls which our Lord saved were saved one by one with infinite love, with tender care, with wonderful patience. Of all who stood round Calvary we are only told of one who was saved, and that was he upon whom our Lord in the extremity of His suffering turned the whole of His thought and love and care.
II. The Church and the individual.And the Church which was left by our Lord to carry on His great work has ever sought to work on those same principles. She has tried to bring into the fold those from outside, not in great masses, but one by one. One by one you and I were brought to the font and united to our Lord. One by one we received into our souls the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit at our confirmation. One by one we received from Gods minister the blessed Body and Blood of our Lord. Can we be thankful enough for these proofs of the love of God for mans soul?
III. An extension of the principle.But the Churchs mission in working on our Lords principles for the salvation of souls is not confined to the souls of men. It applies to our bodies as well. Just as our Lord would listen to every detail of bodily and mental suffering, so the Church has tried, as she has been able, to help the bodies of her members as well as their souls. And here again shall we not try to work out the same principle? It is very good that we should interest ourselves with great problems for helping large massesI mean questions like better housing, or the provision of open spaces that will benefit a whole neighbourhood. But surely we shall not exhaust our compassion for our fellow-men in forwarding wide movements of that sort. The text tells us that if we love God we shall love our brother also. I must try and get down to the individual, the separate man and woman. They are all so different, and need such different kinds of help. What are you doing to help your brother?
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
1Jn 4:21. On the basis of the reasoning in the preceding verse, John commands the disciples not to attempt loving God it they will not love the brethren also, for their profession of love will be rejected.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
The victory of Faith in Jesus as the victory of Love.
1Jn 4:21. And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. The three points of chap. 1Jn 3:12 having been discussed, a new subject begins. That is the precept of love given by Him, that is, Christ, whose name needs not to be mentioned, as the second part of the theme of chap. 1Jn 3:23 : And thy neighbour as thyself is the primitive commandment; but the next verse answers the question, Who is my neighbour? as our Lord does, by inverting the order.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
This commandment; this great and chief commandment, above the rest, this summary and comprehensive commandment, including all the rest, namely, to love God above all, for his own sake, and to love our brother as ourselves, for God’s sake, this command, so full of wisdom, so agreeable to right reason, and so much our duty and interest to comply with, have we received from God; and it is most certain that we love him not, if we keep it not; This commandment have we from God, that he who loveth God, loveth his brother also.
Learn thence, 1. That the great God, by his gracious command, requires that we love him and place the supremacy of our love upon him.
2. That as God requires us to love him above ourselves, so does he oblige us, by virtue of his command, to love our brother as ourselves; as sincerely, though not so intensely, as ourselves.
Learn, 3. That the same commandment that requires us to love God, requires love to our brethren also; God interprets the neglect of our duty to our brother, as a neglect of our obligation to himself.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
4:21 {17} And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
(17) A second reason, why God cannot be hated and our neighbour loved, because this same lawmaker commanded us both to love him and our neighbour.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Furthermore, God commanded us to love both Himself and our brothers, not just Himself (1Jn 2:3; 1Jn 3:23-24; 1Jn 5:3). Here is another false claim (cf. 1Jn 1:6; 1Jn 1:8; 1Jn 1:10; 1Jn 2:4; 1Jn 2:6; 1Jn 2:9; 1Jn 2:22; 1Jn 5:10).
"Much verbal expression of devotion for the person of Christ can co-exist with remarkably un-Christian attitudes toward the people of Christ . . ." [Note: Bruce, p. 115.]
"It is easy to have a kind of love for God which does not recognize the obligation to love one another. Such love for God falls short of being real love for him, since it fails to obey his commandments." [Note: Marshall, p. 226.]