Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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? English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible 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. King James Bible 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? New King James Version 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? New American Standard Bible 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. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible 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. Amplified Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible If anyone says, “I love God,” 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. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version 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? English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation 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. Good News Translation 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. International Standard Version 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. Majority Standard Bible 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? NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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? Weymouth New Testament 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. World English Bible 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? Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionif 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? Berean Literal Bible 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. Young's Literal Translation 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? Smith's Literal Translation 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? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf 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? Catholic Public Domain Version 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? New American Bible 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. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf 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? Aramaic Bible in Plain English 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? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIf 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? Godbey New Testament 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. Haweis New Testament 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? Mace New Testament 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? Weymouth New Testament 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. Worrell New Testament 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. Worsley New Testament 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? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Love Comes from God…19We love because He first loved us. 20If 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. 21And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.… Cross References Matthew 22:37-39 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.’ John 13:34-35 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.” James 2:14-17 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? ... 1 John 3:17-18 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. Matthew 5:43-44 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, Luke 6:27-28 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. Romans 13:9-10 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. Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 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. Ephesians 4:31-32 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. Colossians 3:12-14 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. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. Leviticus 19:17-18 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. Deuteronomy 6:5 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Treasury of Scripture 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. 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 3:17 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. 1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Jump to Previous Hate Hates Hateth Love Loves Someone WordsJump to Next Hate Hates Hateth Love Loves Someone Words1 John 4 1. He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;7. and exhorts to brotherly love. If anyone says, 'I love God,' The phrase begins with a conditional statement, "If anyone says," which introduces a hypothetical scenario that challenges the authenticity of one's claim. The Greek word for "says" is "λέγῃ" (legei), which implies a verbal profession or declaration. This sets the stage for examining the sincerity of one's love for God. The phrase "I love God" is central to Christian confession, rooted in the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37). The love for God is not merely an emotional or verbal expression but a profound commitment that should manifest in actions. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. John the ApostleThe 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. The Early Church The audience of John's letter, consisting of early Christians who were facing challenges such as false teachings and divisions within the community. 3. God The central figure in this passage, representing the ultimate source of love and the one whom believers claim to love. 4. The Brother Refers to fellow believers or, more broadly, to others within the community of faith whom one is called to love. 5. The Concept of Love A recurring theme in John's writings, emphasizing the importance of genuine love as evidence of one's relationship with God. Teaching Points The Inseparability of Love for God and OthersTrue 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. The Visibility of Love 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. The Deception of Empty Words Claiming to love God without loving others is self-deception. Our actions must align with our words to reflect genuine faith. The Call to Self-Examination Believers are encouraged to examine their relationships and attitudes towards others, ensuring that they reflect the love of God. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit empowers believers to love others genuinely, overcoming natural inclinations towards hatred or indifference.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." Parallel Commentaries ... Greek IfἘάν (Ean) Conjunction Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: 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 Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “I love Ἀγαπῶ (Agapō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 25: 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 Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. hates μισῇ (misē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3404: 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 Strong's 846: 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 Strong's 80: 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 Strong's 1510: 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 Strong's 5583: A liar, deceiver. From pseudomai; a falsifier. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. anyone who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: 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 Strong's 25: 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 Strong's 846: 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 Strong's 80: 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 Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. he has seen, ἑώρακεν (heōraken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3708: 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 Strong's 1410: (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 Strong's 25: 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 Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. whom ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. he has not seen. ἑώρακεν (heōraken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. Links 1 John 4:20 NIV1 John 4:20 NLT 1 John 4:20 ESV 1 John 4:20 NASB 1 John 4:20 KJV 1 John 4:20 BibleApps.com 1 John 4:20 Biblia Paralela 1 John 4:20 Chinese Bible 1 John 4:20 French Bible 1 John 4:20 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 John 4:20 If a man says I love God (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) |
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