Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 5:2

"Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments." — 1 John 5:2 (ASV)

This statement troubles commentators because it reverses what is expected. One anticipates a conclusion like this: “And this is how we know that we love God: by loving his children and obeying his commands.” Instead the author concludes: “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.” Even as one cannot love God without loving his children, so also it is impossible to truly love the children of God without loving God also. Those who claim to love their brothers and not God have not truly recognized their brothers as those born of God and have not offered them the true love that comes from the Father. The author cannot really talk of loving God, however, without also linking his words to obedience to his commands.