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 4:20KJV
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1 John 4:20 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“liar” Greek G5583 · used in 10 verses

  • John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
  • 1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
  • 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

“hateth” Greek G3404 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
  • Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

“seen” Greek G3708 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 4:45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
  • Acts 22:26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

“how” Greek G4459 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.