Deep Dive

I John 4:21

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And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 21

Besides the argument (Jo1 4:20) from the common feeling of men, he here adds a stronger one from God's express commandment (Mat 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. Next: 1 John Chapter 5

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 21

In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits (Jo1 4:1), gives a note to try by (Jo1 4:2, Jo1 4:3), shows who are of the world and who of God (Jo1 4:4-6), urges Christian love by divers considerations (Jo1 4:7-16), describes our love to God, and the effect of it (Jo1 4:17-21).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 21

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this ἐντολή (entolḗ, G1785) — injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Leviticus 19:18rank 15

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

I John 3:11rank 14

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

Galatians 5:14rank 13

The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I Thessalonians 4:9rank 11

Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

I Peter 3:8rank 11

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.

John 15:12rank 9

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

I John 3:14rank 8

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

I Peter 4:8rank 8

Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

I John 3:23rank 8

And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

Galatians 5:6rank 7

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.

Commentaries

Original language

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