1 John 5:2

2 In this way, we are certain that we have love for the children of God, when we have love for God and keep his laws.

1 John 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 5:2

By this we know that we are the children God
The Ethiopic version reads, "by this know that we love God"; which, in connection with what follows, makes a tautology, and is a proving "idem per idem": whereas the apostle's view is to show when love to the saints is right; and that is,

when we love God, and keep his commandments:
love to the brethren may arise from such a cause, as may show that it is not brotherly love, or of a spiritual kind; it may arise from natural relation, or civil friendship, or from a benefit or favour received from them, and from some natural external excellency seen in them; and a man may do acts of love and kindness to the brethren, from what may be called good nature in himself, or with sinister views; but true love to the brethren springs from love to God: such who love the saints aright, and by which they may know they do so, they love them because they themselves love God, and in obedience to his command; they love them because they belong to God, and are the objects of his love; because his grace is wrought in them, and his image stamped upon them.

1 John 5:2 In-Context

1 Everyone who has faith that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God: and everyone who has love for the Father has love for his child.

2 In this way, we are certain that we have love for the children of God, when we have love for God and keep his laws.

3 For loving God is keeping his laws: and his laws are not hard.

4 Anything which comes from God is able to overcome the world: and the power by which we have overcome the world is our faith.

5 Who is able to overcome the world but the man who has faith that Jesus is the Son of God?