1 John 4:21

21 and this [is] the command we have from Him, that he who is loving God, may also love 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 we -- we love him, because He -- He first loved us;

20 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?

21 and this [is] the command we have from Him, that he who is loving God, may also love his brother.