Verse
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.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother - This, as well as many other parts of this epistle, seems levelled against the Jews, who pretended much love to God while they hated the Gentiles; and even some of them who were brought into the Christian Church brought this leaven with them. It required a miracle to redeem St. Peter's mind from the influence of this principle. See Acts 10. Whom he hath seen - We may have our love excited towards our brother, 1. By a consideration of his excellences or amiable qualities. 2. By a view of his miseries and distresses. The first will excite a love of complacency and delight; the second, a love of compassion and pity. Whom he hath not seen? - If he love not his brother, it is a proof that the love of God is not in him; and if he have not the love of God, he cannot love God, for God can be loved only through the influence of his own love. See on Jo1 4:19 (note). The man who hates his fellow does not love God. He who does not love God has not the love of God in him, and he who has not the love of God in him can neither love God nor man.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
loveth not . . . brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen--It is easier for us, influenced as we are here by sense, to direct love towards one within the range of our senses than towards One unseen, appreciable only by faith. "Nature is prior to grace; and we by nature love things seen, before we love things unseen" [ESTIUS]. The eyes are our leaders in love. "Seeing is an incentive to love" [œCUMENIUS]. If we do not love the brethren, the visible representatives of God, how can we love God, the invisible One, whose children they are? The true ideal of man, lost in Adam, is realized in Christ, in whom God is revealed as He is, and man as he ought to be. Thus, by faith in Christ, we learn to love both the true God, and the true man, and so to love the brethren as bearing His image. hath seen--and continually sees.
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 Jo1 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. Next: 1 John Chapter 5
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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Joys of Being Spirit Filled
By Francis Chan4.4K41:53ROM 8:9ROM 15:5EPH 5:18EPH 5:21COL 3:16COL 3:231TH 5:161JN 1:91JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of being Spirit-filled, focusing on constant thanksgiving, sharing scripture with others, and maintaining a heart of worship through psalms and hymns. It highlights the need for genuine love and submission in relationships as a reflection of one's relationship with God.
Powerful Sermon Compilation - the Trumpet Solo
By James A. Stewart1.4K12:13NUM 14:18PSA 51:10PRO 28:13ACT 7:51EPH 4:30HEB 10:22JAS 4:81JN 4:20REV 2:5This sermon emphasizes the consequences of sin and the need for repentance, highlighting the judgment that follows sin and the importance of churches and congregations repenting. It also discusses the tragedy of the minority of overcomers among the seven churches in Asia, portraying God as hurt and withdrawing due to the grief caused by sin and lack of love.
A Call to Worship
By Shane Idleman1.3K1:02:431JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of true worship, highlighting the need to experience God genuinely, remove distractions, and restore broken relationships to worship Him fully. It also stresses the significance of knowing God personally and desiring more of Him to engage in heartfelt worship. Communion is offered as a time to remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
God's Purpose in Marriage - and at Present
By Zac Poonen1.2K1:25:25PRO 22:28MAT 7:121CO 13:4EPH 5:211JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of love and respect in marriage, highlighting the need for patience, kindness, and appreciation towards one's partner. It encourages treating others the way you want to be treated, covering their faults, and believing in their potential for growth. The sermon also stresses the significance of forgiveness, trust, and endurance in maintaining a strong and loving relationship.
Not Loving the World
By Paris Reidhead1.2K46:20WorldlinessMAT 24:38LUK 21:34JAS 4:41JN 1:61JN 2:31JN 2:91JN 2:151JN 3:141JN 4:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches everyone the same things, regardless of their cultural background or language. The speaker shares a personal experience of arriving in Sudan and being shown around by a senior missionary. The sermon then delves into the importance of the word of God in discerning between the soul and spirit. The speaker highlights the commandment to not love the world and explains that doing the will of God is evidence of love. The sermon concludes by suggesting that one's attitude towards the world can be revealed through their actions, and encourages listeners to let others discover their own attitudes rather than judging them.
Ephesians 1 - Pauls Prayer - Part 2
By Gareth Evans1.2K04:59MAT 1:21JHN 13:351CO 13:2EPH 1:151JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of our character and the significance of our name in reflecting who we are. It highlights the correlation between names in the Bible and the character of individuals, urging us to embody faith in God and love for one another. The speaker stresses the need for Christians to prioritize loving one another as a key aspect of truly knowing and experiencing God in a deeper way.
Plain Christians in a Vain World
By David Cooper1.2K1:30:43Plain ChristiansMAT 6:20LUK 14:331CO 3:121TI 2:10JAS 2:171PE 1:71JN 4:20In this sermon, the preacher discusses the vanity and emptiness of the world and its inability to provide lasting satisfaction. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on God and His Word rather than pursuing worldly possessions and pleasures. The preacher also highlights the significance of loving God and one another as a true test of being a Christian. He references the book of James to emphasize the importance of faith accompanied by works, and encourages the congregation to live a life of genuine faith and lasting works.
If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments
By Rolfe Barnard97252:00MAT 22:39JHN 14:15JAS 2:141JN 2:31JN 4:20In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his own shortcomings and the importance of truly loving Jesus. He emphasizes the need to not just talk about loving Jesus, but to show it through obedience to His commandments. The preacher references several Bible verses, including John 14:15 and John 20:21, to support his message. He highlights four qualities of obedience that are found in every true lover of Christ, distinguishing them from others.
New Year Message 3 of 4 : The Proof That We Love God
By Zac Poonen94658:192SA 24:24JAS 1:121JN 2:151JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of proving our love for God through practical actions in our daily lives. It challenges listeners to be faithful in times of temptation, to avoid being enslaved by worldly values, to be generous and rich towards God, and to demonstrate love towards difficult individuals, including those within the church. The ultimate test of love for God is seen in how we treat others, especially those whom we may find challenging or disagreeable.
Can We Judge Our Church
By Shane Idleman82244:16MAT 7:1ROM 14:131CO 4:5GAL 6:1EPH 4:29COL 3:13JAS 4:111PE 4:81JN 4:20This sermon focuses on the importance of not judging others, emphasizing the need to remove the plank from our own eye before critiquing others. It delves into the impact of critical attitudes, unrealistic expectations, and preference influencing decisions within the church. The message highlights the significance of love, grace, and encouragement in driving motives, and the need for protection against gossip and attacks, especially within the Christian community.
The Director
By Jim Cymbala67540:44Christian LifeMAT 22:39JHN 13:34JHN 14:15ROM 13:10GAL 5:1GAL 5:161JN 4:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. He highlights the freedom we have in Christ and warns against using that freedom as an excuse to indulge in our physical desires. The speaker also addresses the issue of legalism and control within certain religious groups, emphasizing that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. He concludes by emphasizing the unchanging nature of God's principles and the need to live a holy life as a response to our salvation.
Seven Truths That Every Christian Must Know
By Zac Poonen65849:23MAT 18:23LUK 9:23LUK 16:13JHN 14:6ACT 20:21EPH 5:181JN 2:281JN 3:31JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of key truths that every Christian must know. It covers the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to God, the necessity of repentance alongside faith, the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, the requirement to deny oneself to follow Jesus, the warning against serving both God and money, the essentiality of loving and forgiving one another, and the preparation for Christ's second coming.
Building the Body of Christ - 6 Loving the Truth
By Zac Poonen62057:29MAT 19:6ROM 3:32TH 2:101JN 1:71JN 3:21JN 4:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of unity in relationships, both in marriage and within the church. It highlights the need for deep fellowship and love among believers, stressing that holiness should lead to stronger connections with others. The speaker warns against self-deception, especially in matters of faith and relationships, urging listeners to love the truth about themselves and seek continuous purification. The sermon also addresses the danger of deception by God, Satan, money, and personal lusts, emphasizing the need to align with God's truth and live in genuine fellowship with others.
Something Is Missing
By Shane Idleman51943:20JER 17:9EZK 36:26MAT 7:1JHN 3:17ACT 2:38ROM 5:8EPH 4:181JN 4:20REV 2:4This sermon delves into the importance of recognizing when something is missing in our lives, particularly in relation to the power of the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes the impact of a lack of the Holy Spirit in churches and individuals, leading to lifeless sermons, stagnant faith, and a deficiency in love and compassion. The sermon highlights the need for spiritual power, love for God's Word, worship, prayer, and others, as well as the danger of a hard heart marked by unbelief, lack of compassion, sin mastery, and thriving pride. The message concludes with a call to transform a heart of stone into a heart of flesh, embracing God's unconditional love and rejecting pride and anger as tools of the enemy.
The Basis of Union and Division
By Watchman Nee3Local Church MembershipUnity in the ChurchACT 2:47ROM 8:9ROM 14:11CO 1:121CO 12:132CO 13:5EPH 4:3COL 1:271JN 4:20Watchman Nee emphasizes the scriptural basis for the formation of local churches, asserting that a church is simply a group of believers in a specific locality who have received Christ. He argues that membership in a local church is based solely on being a believer and residing in that locality, without any additional conditions or denominational barriers. Nee warns against divisions based on leaders, doctrines, or social distinctions, stressing that true unity comes from the indwelling Spirit of Christ in all believers. He encourages Christians to recognize their oneness in the Spirit and to maintain fellowship with all believers in their locality, regardless of differences. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the biblical understanding of the church as a local assembly of all God's children in a given area.
The Struggle With Jealousy
By Charles Stanley1PSA 37:4PRO 14:301CO 10:14JAS 4:71JN 4:20Charles Stanley preaches on overcoming jealousy by acknowledging it as a sin that leads to idolatry, repenting, and realigning our perspective with God's will. He emphasizes the importance of thanking God for others' blessings, asking for love towards them, and avoiding malice and hate that jealousy can breed. By surrendering jealousy to God, we can protect our relationships, our witness, and fully experience God's blessings.
A Christian Indeed
By Thomas Reade1JHN 1:47JHN 13:35ACT 11:262CO 5:17GAL 2:201PE 1:231JN 3:91JN 4:71JN 4:201JN 5:4Thomas Reade preaches about the essence of being a true Christian, emphasizing the importance of having the Spirit of Christ, being transformed internally, and living a life conforming to the teachings of Jesus. He highlights the need for genuine regeneration through the Holy Spirit, bearing the image of Christ, and having faith that works through love and overcomes the world. Reade urges believers to examine themselves, seek sanctification, and demonstrate true Christian love towards all, even their enemies, reflecting the unity and charity found in the early Church.
God Is Integrated
By David Wilkerson0Unity in DiversityLove1JN 4:20David Wilkerson emphasizes that true love for God is inseparable from love for our brothers and sisters, regardless of their race or background. He argues that claiming to love God while harboring hatred or fear towards others is hypocritical, as perfect love drives out fear. Wilkerson reminds us that God's command is to love one another as He loves us, highlighting that love must be genuine and inclusive. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their relationships and the authenticity of their love for God in light of their love for others.
Jesus Warns His Disciples of the World's Hatred John 15:18-16:4
By David Servant0LUK 6:26JHN 16:22TI 3:121JN 4:20David Servant preaches about Jesus' warning to His disciples regarding the persecution they would face for their faith, emphasizing that believers should not be surprised by persecution but rather expect it as a part of following Christ. He highlights the reason for the world's hatred towards Christians, explaining that it is ultimately directed at God Himself. Servant also addresses the importance of responding to persecution with love and prayers for those who mistreat us, reflecting the love of Christ even to our enemies.
In Daily Life
By Andrew Murray0Love in ActionHumilityROM 12:10PHP 2:31JN 4:20Andrew Murray emphasizes that our love for God is demonstrated through our interactions with others, particularly in how we show humility and love towards our fellow men. He argues that true humility is not merely a posture in prayer but is revealed in our daily conduct and relationships. Murray highlights that the essence of humility is to prefer others above ourselves, reflecting the character of Christ, who served and loved selflessly. He encourages believers to embody the humility of Jesus in their everyday lives, recognizing that this is the true measure of our spiritual maturity. Ultimately, Murray calls for a deeper understanding and practice of humility as a vital aspect of the Christian life.
Family and Worship
By Valsan Thampu0PSA 95:6PSA 133:1PRO 22:6MAT 18:201CO 13:4EPH 5:25COL 3:16HEB 10:24JAS 1:221JN 4:20Valsan Thampu emphasizes the neglected practice of family worship in today's urban context, highlighting how the secular privatization of religion has marginalized faith in personal and family life due to busyness and self-absorption. He stresses the importance of family worship in shaping family culture, promoting cohesion, and creating a stable foundation for belonging. Thampu explains how worship enhances family coherence by fostering self-transcendence, other-orientation, reciprocity, and love, emphasizing the need for a spiritual revolution from self-centeredness to God-centeredness for family cohesion to endure.
Fear and Joy in the Presence of God
By Erlo Stegen0Holiness and ReverenceGod's Presence2SA 6:162SA 6:20PSA 119:11MAT 6:13JHN 13:35ROM 12:10HEB 12:14JAS 4:41PE 1:161JN 4:20Erlo Stegen emphasizes the duality of fear and joy in the presence of God, using the story of David and Michal to illustrate the importance of God's presence in our lives. He highlights that true hope and safety come only from having God with us, and warns against the dangers of jealousy and criticism, as exemplified by Michal's disdain for David's worship. Stegen urges believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else, reminding them that God's holiness must be respected and that His work must be done in His way. The sermon concludes with a call to examine one's heart and to maintain a reverent relationship with the Holy God.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
By David Servant0MAT 22:37LUK 10:29LUK 10:36ROM 13:101JN 4:20David Servant preaches on the story of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. The lesson highlights that anyone and everyone is our neighbor by God's definition, even those who are despised or different from us. Jesus challenges the religious teacher to show mercy and love to all, regardless of race or background, revealing the need for repentance and genuine love for others.
(The Full Gospel) 25. a Spiritual Check-Up
By Zac Poonen0PRO 16:2MAT 6:33MAT 12:361CO 10:31EPH 4:29PHP 2:3COL 3:13JAS 4:171PE 4:101JN 4:20Zac Poonen delivers a powerful sermon challenging believers to examine their thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day, emphasizing the importance of living a life aligned with God's principles. He prompts introspection on various aspects such as forgiveness, humility, love for others, stewardship of time and resources, and the purity of thoughts. Poonen encourages a lifestyle of prayer, service, simplicity, and accountability in relationships, urging believers to prioritize seeking God's kingdom, living in truth, and walking in love towards all.
Letter 173.
By James Bourne0HEB 12:1HEB 12:141JN 4:20James Bourne preaches about the danger of harboring enmity and prejudice in our hearts, emphasizing the need to put off these corrupt principles and pursue peace and holiness. He warns that enmity can hinder our relationship with God and urges the listener to constantly pray for those they are tempted to revile. Bourne encourages seeking deliverance from the snare of enmity through the lovingkindness of the Lord, reminding that enduring the cross and denying our lusts through faith and love is essential for running the race set before us.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother - This, as well as many other parts of this epistle, seems levelled against the Jews, who pretended much love to God while they hated the Gentiles; and even some of them who were brought into the Christian Church brought this leaven with them. It required a miracle to redeem St. Peter's mind from the influence of this principle. See Acts 10. Whom he hath seen - We may have our love excited towards our brother, 1. By a consideration of his excellences or amiable qualities. 2. By a view of his miseries and distresses. The first will excite a love of complacency and delight; the second, a love of compassion and pity. Whom he hath not seen? - If he love not his brother, it is a proof that the love of God is not in him; and if he have not the love of God, he cannot love God, for God can be loved only through the influence of his own love. See on Jo1 4:19 (note). The man who hates his fellow does not love God. He who does not love God has not the love of God in him, and he who has not the love of God in him can neither love God nor man.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
loveth not . . . brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen--It is easier for us, influenced as we are here by sense, to direct love towards one within the range of our senses than towards One unseen, appreciable only by faith. "Nature is prior to grace; and we by nature love things seen, before we love things unseen" [ESTIUS]. The eyes are our leaders in love. "Seeing is an incentive to love" [œCUMENIUS]. If we do not love the brethren, the visible representatives of God, how can we love God, the invisible One, whose children they are? The true ideal of man, lost in Adam, is realized in Christ, in whom God is revealed as He is, and man as he ought to be. Thus, by faith in Christ, we learn to love both the true God, and the true man, and so to love the brethren as bearing His image. hath seen--and continually sees.
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 Jo1 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. Next: 1 John Chapter 5