1Jo 4:7 | RWP | e4.org | Of God ( εκ του θεου ). Even human love comes from God, "a reflection of something in the Divine nature itself" (Brooke). John repeats the old commandment of . Persistence in loving (present tense αγαπωμεν indicative and αγαπων participle) is proof that one "has been begotten of God" ( εκ του θεου γεγεννητα as in ) and is acquainted with God. Otherwise mere claim to loving God accompanied by hating one's brother is a lie ( ).

‏ 1 John 4:7

Of God ( εκ του θεου ). Even human love comes from God, "a reflection of something in the Divine nature itself" (Brooke). John repeats the old commandment of 2:7f. Persistence in loving (present tense αγαπωμεν indicative and αγαπων participle) is proof that one "has been begotten of God" ( εκ του θεου γεγεννητα as in 2:29) and is acquainted with God. Otherwise mere claim to loving God accompanied by hating one's brother is a lie (2:9-11).