1 John 4:21

21 And this commandment we have from God, that he who loveth God love also his brother.

1 John 4:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 4:21

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 ( 1 John 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 ( John 13:34 ) ( John 15:12 John 15:17 ) ; 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.

1 John 4:21 In-Context

19 Let us therefore love God: because God first hath loved us.

20 If 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?

21 And this commandment we have from God, that he who loveth God love also his brother.