King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:3 Mean?

1 John 5:3 in the King James Version says “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 John 5:3 · 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.

5

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Read 1 John 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. John defines love for God in terms of obedience. "For this is the love of God" (autē gar estin hē agapē tou theou)—the phrase could mean either our love for God or God's love, but context indicates the former: our love toward God. "That we keep his commandments" (hina tas entolas autou tērōmen). Tēreō means to keep, guard, observe carefully. Present tense indicates habitual obedience. Love for God isn't merely emotion but active obedience. Jesus taught the same: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

This challenges sentimental views of love divorced from obedience. Biblical love involves the will, not merely feelings. We demonstrate love for God by keeping His commands, not by claiming warm feelings while living in disobedience. However, this isn't bare legalism—obedience flows from love ("if ye love me") rather than replacing it. Love motivates and empowers obedience; obedience evidences and expresses love.

"And his commandments are not grievous" (kai hai entolai autou bareiai ouk eisin). Barys means heavy, burdensome, oppressive. God's commands aren't burdensome to those who love Him because the new nature delights in God's law (Romans 7:22), the Spirit empowers obedience (Galatians 5:16), and Christ's yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30). To unregenerate hearts, God's law is oppressive, but to those born of God and loving Him, His commands are delightful. When obedience feels burdensome, examine whether you truly love God or are attempting duty without delight.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judaism struggled with whether Torah observance was burdensome. Psalm 119 expresses delight in God's law, but by Jesus's time, Pharisaic traditions had added countless regulations making the law oppressive (Matthew 23:4). Jesus criticized this, offering rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28-30). Paul taught that the law apart from grace condemns, but in Christ, we fulfill the law's requirements through the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4).

John's statement that God's commands aren't grievous echoes Jesus's teaching and challenges both legalism and antinomianism. Against legalism: obedience isn't burdensome duty earning salvation but joyful response to grace received. Against antinomianism: true Christians don't find God's commands oppressive and seek to avoid them; rather, they delight in obeying the God they love. This balance guards both grace and holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your obedience to God's commandments (or lack thereof) reveal the genuineness of your claimed love for God?
  2. If God's commandments feel burdensome rather than delightful, what might this indicate about your heart condition or understanding of grace?
  3. What's the difference between legalistic obedience (trying to earn favor) and loving obedience (responding to grace), and which characterizes your life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
αὕτη1 of 19

“this”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

γάρ2 of 19

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐστιν3 of 19

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡ4 of 19
G3588

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

ἀγάπη5 of 19

“the love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

τοῦ6 of 19
G3588

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

Θεοῦ,7 of 19

“of God”

G2316

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

ἵνα8 of 19

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

τὰς9 of 19
G3588

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

ἐντολαὶ10 of 19

“commandments”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

αὐτοῦ11 of 19

“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

τηρῶμεν12 of 19

“we 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

καὶ13 of 19

“and”

G2532

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

αἱ14 of 19
G3588

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

ἐντολαὶ15 of 19

“commandments”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

αὐτοῦ16 of 19

“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

βαρεῖαι17 of 19

“grievous”

G926

weighty, i.e., (fig) burdensome, grave

οὐκ18 of 19

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἰσίν.19 of 19

“are”

G1526

they are

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 5:3 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 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 14:15John 15:10John 14:21-24Deuteronomy 7:92 John 1:61 John 2:3

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