1 John 5:2
What does 1 John 5:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 5:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 5:2 means
Love for God’s people is not measured by sentiment alone. John says we know we truly love God’s children when we love God Himself and obey His commandments. Our love for the family springs from devotion to the Father and submission to His will. This guards us from a “love” that excuses sin or ignores truth. The pathway of obedience supplies the context where genuine brotherly love flourishes. God defines love’s shape; His commands protect and direct it. Loving the brethren and loving God are not competing duties. They belong together, because the same new birth that produces faith also produces a heart eager to do what God says.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In this way, we are certain that we have love for the children of God, when we have love for God and keep his laws.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in this we know that we love the children of God, when we may love God, and His commands may keep;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep his commandments.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hereby know we that we love the children ofGod, when we loveGod and keep his commandments.
Context
Having affirmed in verse 1 that love for those begotten of God follows faith, John now clarifies the test. Verse 2 explains how to recognize real love for believers: it is bound up with loving God and doing His commandments. This prepares the ground for verse 3, which states directly that love for God is keeping His commands—and that they are not burdensome. From there, verses 4–5 show why the commands are not heavy: everyone begotten of God overcomes the world through faith in Jesus, the Son of God. The flow moves from definition to empowerment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 3:22
and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
- John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
- 1 John 4:21
And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.
- 1 John 2:5
but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:
- John 15:17
These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 John 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 John 5.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About the Deity of Christ
The Bible consistently reveals Jesus Christ as truly God, possessing divine attributes, titles, and authority.
Topic
Bible Verses About Eternal Life
Eternal life, a gift from God, is knowing Him and Jesus Christ, and living forever in His presence.
Topic
Bible Verses About Idolatry
Idolatry is the worship of anything other than the one true God, a pervasive theme throughout the Bible.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Doubting Your Salvation
Quiet, grounded scripture for the nights you wonder if you're really saved.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Unloved
When you can't feel anyone's love — verses for a love that doesn't depend on feeling.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Relapse and the Shame That Follows
Verses to read the morning after — when you fell again and don't know how to pray.