1 John 5:2

2 in this we know that we love the children of God, when we may love God, and His commands may keep;

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 Every one who is believing that Jesus is the Christ, of God he hath been begotten, and every one who is loving Him who did beget, doth love also him who is begotten of Him:

2 in this we know that we love the children of God, when we may love God, and His commands may keep;

3 for this is the love of God, that His commands we may keep, and His commands are not burdensome;

4 because every one who is begotten of God doth overcome the world, and this is the victory that did overcome the world -- our faith;

5 who is he who is overcoming the world, if not he who is believing that Jesus is the Son of God?