1 John 4:20

Updated: June 3, 2025
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If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
World English Bible (WEB)
If{G1437} a man{G5100} say{G2036}{(G5632)},{G3754} I love{G25}{(G5719)} God{G2316}, and{G2532} hateth{G3404}{(G5725)} his{G846} brother{G80}, he is{G2076}{(G5748)} a liar{G5583}: for{G1063} he that loveth{G25}{(G5723)} not{G3361} his{G846} brother{G80} whom{G3739} he hath seen{G3708}{(G5758)}, how{G4459} can{G1410}{(G5736)} he love{G25}{(G5721)} God{G2316} whom{G3739} he hath{G3708} not{G3756} seen{G3708}{(G5758)}?
KJV with Strongs
If someone says, “I love (agape) the Elohim,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving (agape) his brother whom he has seen cannot love (agape) the Elohim whom he has not seen.
The F.O.G
[20] If someone claims, "I love God," but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar. For if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? It's like claiming to be a master chef while burning every meal you cook! If someone says, ‘I truly love Yahweh,’ but hates their fellow believer, they are a liar. For someone who doesn’t truly love their fellow believer whom they have seen cannot truly love Yahweh whom they have not seen.
The F.O.G Paraphrase
if any one may say—‘I love God,’ and his brother he may hate, a liar he is; for he who is not loving his brother whom he hath seen, God—whom he hath not seen—how is he able to love?
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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Footnotes:

1 John 4:20

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God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.

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