Book of 1 John - Chapter 4 - Verse 20

The verse "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" emphasizes the importance of showing genuine love and compassion towards others, especially our fellow human beings. It highlights the idea that our love for God is reflected in how we treat and interact with those around us. If someone claims to love God but harbors hatred or resentment towards their brother or sister, they are essentially contradicting themselves. The verse challenges us to examine the sincerity of our love for God by evaluating our relationships with others. It prompts us to consider whether our actions align with our professed faith and to strive towards embodying love, forgiveness, and kindness in all our interactions. Ultimately, the verse serves as a reminder that true love for God encompasses loving and caring for one another as we would for ourselves.

The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the inseparable nature of love for God and love for one's fellow human beings. The Apostle John is underscoring the practical outworking of genuine love for God in one's relationships with others. By stating that anyone who claims to love God but harbors hatred for their brother is a liar, John highlights the hypocrisy of such a stance. The impossibility of truly loving an unseen God while failing to love a visible brother is a powerful message about the importance of demonstrating love through actions. This verse challenges believers to examine the authenticity of their love for God by evaluating the way they treat others, especially those within their immediate community. By loving others, believers are able to reflect and express the love of God in a tangible way, creating a harmonious relationship between their professed faith and their daily interactions. The word study on "love" in this verse emphasizes the deep, sacrificial nature of agape love, which requires selfless actions and genuine care for the well-being of others.