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?
1 JOHN 4:20KJVWhat does 1 John 4:20 mean?
1 John 4:20 says that if someone claims to love God but hates their brother, that person is lying, because it is not possible to truly love God—whom you cannot see—if you do not love your brother, whom you can see. The verse insists that love for others is a necessary evidence of genuine love for God.
The apostle John is writing to early Christian communities, warning them against false claims of spirituality that are not matched by real love for others. The verse challenges readers to examine whether their actions toward people around them reflect their professed relationship with God, making love for others a clear test of authentic faith.
The Greek behind 1 John 4:20
- ἀγαπάω (agapaō, G25): This word for "love" means a deep, self-giving, committed love, not just affection or liking. John uses it to set a high standard for what it means to love both God and others.
- μισέω (miseō, G3404): The word for "hate" here is strong, meaning active hostility or rejection, not just mild dislike. The verse draws a sharp line between love and hate, leaving no middle ground.
- ψεύστης (pseustēs, G5583): The term for "liar" is direct and forceful, showing that John sees a claim to love God without loving others as not just mistaken, but fundamentally dishonest.
Why 1 John 4:20 matters
- 1 John 4:20 clears up the idea that love for God can be separated from how we treat people; John says they are inseparable.
- The verse emphasizes that visible, practical love for others is the real proof of invisible love for God, which cannot be seen or measured directly.
- In the wider context, this verse fits John's repeated theme that genuine faith always produces tangible love for others, making it a central test of Christian life.