King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:2 Mean?

1 John 5:2 in the King James Version says “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”

1 John 5:2 · KJV

Love

Context

1

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Read 1 John 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. This verse presents a profound reciprocal relationship between vertical love (toward God) and horizontal love (toward fellow believers). The Greek word ginōskō (γινώσκω, "we know") indicates experiential, relational knowledge—not mere intellectual assent but lived reality that provides assurance and verification.

John's logic is striking: genuine love for God's children is authenticated when we love God and obey His commands. This appears paradoxical at first—one might expect the reverse formulation ("we know we love God when we love His children"). But John presents obedience to God as the litmus test for authentic love of the brethren. The conjunction hotan (ὅταν, "when") coupled with the present subjunctive indicates ongoing, habitual action. Love for God manifests in covenant faithfulness—keeping His commandments (tas entolas autou tēroumen).

The term tēreō (τηρέω, "keep") means to guard, preserve, and observe carefully, implying devoted attention and protective custody of God's word. This echoes Jesus' teaching: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). True agape love cannot be separated from obedience. John guards against sentimental love divorced from truth and holiness. Authentic Christian community is built not on mere affection but on shared devotion to God and His revealed will. The children of God are loved as children of God—because they belong to Him and bear His image.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First John was written circa 85-95 AD, likely from Ephesus, addressing churches wrestling with early Gnostic influences that divorced spiritual knowledge from moral behavior and emphasized elite mystical experiences over communal love. False teachers claimed superior love for God while despising ordinary believers and dismissing ethical obedience as irrelevant for the "spiritual."

In the Greco-Roman world, philosophical schools emphasized individual enlightenment and hierarchical relationships based on status and wisdom. The radical Christian concept of loving fellow believers equally—regardless of social standing—while simultaneously maintaining high ethical standards was countercultural. Jewish readers would recognize echoes of Deuteronomy 6:5 (love God) and Leviticus 19:18 (love neighbor), but John synthesizes these into an inseparable unity.

The early church faced constant pressure to compromise doctrine for unity or to pursue doctrinal purity while abandoning love. John's balanced emphasis—authentic love flows from right belief and produces right behavior—provided crucial apostolic guidance. The historical context of persecution also meant that loving God's children often required personal sacrifice, making obedience to God's commands essential for maintaining genuine Christian fellowship despite external pressures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does keeping God's commandments actually demonstrate love for other believers in practical terms?
  2. In what ways might we deceive ourselves into thinking we love God's children while disobeying God's commands?
  3. How can we guard against the twin errors of loveless orthodoxy and truth-compromising sentimentalism?
  4. What specific commandments of God most directly impact our love for fellow Christians?
  5. How does this verse challenge contemporary ideas that separate belief, behavior, and belonging in Christian community?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
ἐν1 of 18

“By”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τούτῳ2 of 18

“this”

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

γινώσκομεν3 of 18

“we know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ὅτι4 of 18

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀγαπῶμεν5 of 18

“we love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὰ6 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνα7 of 18

“the children”

G5043

a child (as produced)

τοῦ8 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεὸν9 of 18

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὅταν10 of 18

“when”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

τὸν11 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεὸν12 of 18

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀγαπῶμεν13 of 18

“we love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

καὶ14 of 18

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς15 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐντολὰς16 of 18

“commandments”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

αὐτοῦ17 of 18

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τηρῶμεν·18 of 18

“keep”

G5083

to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 5:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 13:34-351 John 2:51 John 3:22-24John 15:171 John 4:21

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 John 5 with CommentaryAll 1 John ChaptersComplete 1 John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes