SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:20
Si alguno dice: Yo amo a Dios, y aborrece a su Hermano, es mentiroso. Porque el que no ama a su Hermano al cual ha visto, ¿cmo puede amar a Dios que no ha visto?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:20
Verse 20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother] This, as well as many other parts of this epistle, seems levelled against the Jews, who pretended much love to God while they hated the Gentiles; and even some of them who were brought into the Christian Church brought this leaven with them. It required a miracle to redeem St. Peter's mind from the influence of this principle. See Acts 10. Whom he hath seen] We may have our love excited towards our brother, 1. By a consideration of his excellences or amiable qualities. 2. By a view of his miseries and distresses. The first will excite a love of complacency and delight; the second, a love of compassion and pity.
Whom he hath not seen?] If he love not his brother, it is a proof that the love of God is not in him; and if he have not the love of God, he cannot love God, for God can be loved only through the influence of his own love. See on ver. 19. The man who hates his fellow does not love God. He who does not love God has not the love of God in him, and he who has not the love of God in him can neither love God nor man.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. If a man say I love God, and hateth his brother , &c.] Than which profession nothing can be more contradictory, not black and white, or hot and cold in the same degree: he is a liar ; it is not truth he speaks, it is a contradiction, and a thing impossible: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen ; his person, which might have drawn out his affection to him; and something valuable and worthy in him, which might have commanded respect; or his wants and distresses, which should have moved his pity and compassion: how can he love God whom he hath not seen ? it cannot be thought he should; the thing is not reasonable to suppose; it is not possible he should; (see Gill on 1 John 4:12).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-21 - The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the So of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession include faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life an conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldnes before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, wh look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him, 2Ti 2:12. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard an veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principl of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labour from dread of a master's anger. They are like that of a dutiful child who does services to a beloved father, which benefit his brethren, an are done willingly. It is a sign that our love is far from perfect when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. Let heave and earth stand amazed at his love. He sent his word to invite sinner to partake of this great salvation. Let them take the comfort of the happy change wrought in them, while they give him the glory. The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion. This must be tried by it effects on their temper, and their conduct to their brethren. If a ma professes to love God, and yet indulges anger or revenge, or shows selfish disposition, he gives his profession the lie. But if it is plain that our natural enmity is changed into affection and gratitude let us bless the name of our God for this seal and earnest of eterna happiness. Then we differ from the false professors, who pretend to love God, whom they have not seen, yet hate their brethren, whom the have seen __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
εαν 1437 τις 5100 ειπη 2036 5632 οτι 3754 αγαπω 25 5719 τον 3588 θεον 2316 και 2532 τον 3588 αδελφον 80 αυτου 846 μιση 3404 5725 ψευστης 5583 εστιν 2076 5748 ο 3588 γαρ 1063 μη 3361 αγαπων 25 5723 τον 3588 αδελφον 80 αυτου 846 ον 3739 εωρακεν 3708 5758 τον 3588 θεον 2316 ον 3739 ουχ 3756 εωρακεν 3708 5758 πως 4459 δυναται 1410 5736 αγαπαν 25 5721
Vincent's NT Word Studies
20. He that loveth not his brother, etc. Note the striking inversion of the clauses: He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, God whom he hath not seen cannot love.
How. The best tests omit, and give the direct statement cannot love. So Rev.
