5:2 5:2

1 John 5:3

5:4 5:4

Bible Versions

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
For {G1063} this {G3778} is {G2076} the love {G26} of God {G2316}, that {G2443} we keep {G5083} his {G846} commandments {G1785}: and {G2532} his {G846} commandments {G1785} are {G1526} not {G3756} grievous {G926}.
For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome,
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Commentary on 1 John 5:3 (KJV)

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, consistently interweaves the themes of love, faith, and obedience. In 1 John 5:3, he provides a concise yet profound definition of what it means to truly love God, directly linking it to our actions and attitudes.

Context

This verse comes within a section of 1 John (beginning around chapter 4 and extending into chapter 5) where John emphasizes the interconnectedness of loving God, loving fellow believers, and obeying God's commands. He addresses a community grappling with false teachings that might have separated true faith from practical righteousness. John asserts that genuine faith in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God (1 John 5:1), naturally expresses itself through love and obedience. This verse clarifies that our love for God is not merely an emotion but is demonstrated through a life lived in alignment with His will.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of God's Love (for us) and Our Love (for Him): John defines our love for God not as abstract sentiment but as active adherence to His will. It's a reciprocal relationship where God's love for us (see John 3:16) should evoke a responsive love that manifests in obedience.
  • Obedience as the Expression of Love: The core message is that keeping God's commandments is the tangible evidence and natural outflow of a heart that truly loves Him. This echoes Jesus' own words: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
  • The Non-Burdensome Nature of God's Commands: The phrase "and his commandments are not grievous" is crucial. It counters the idea that God's laws are oppressive or burdensome. For those who are born of God and genuinely love Him, His commands are not a heavy weight but a path to life, freedom, and joy. This perspective aligns with Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:30: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "love" here is agape (ἀγάπη), which signifies a selfless, divine, unconditional love. When John says "this is the love of God," he refers to our love *for* God, which is characterized by obedience. The term "commandments" (Greek: entolai, ἐντολαί) refers to divine injunctions, not just a list of rules, but the principles of righteous living given by God. The phrase "not grievous" translates from the Greek bareiai (βαρεῖαι), meaning "heavy," "burdensome," or "oppressive." John assures believers that God's expectations are not meant to crush them but to guide them into a flourishing life.

Practical Application

For the modern believer, 1 John 5:3 offers a vital self-assessment: Is my obedience to God motivated by genuine love, or by fear, obligation, or a desire for reward? When obedience flows from love, it becomes a joy rather than a burden. This verse encourages us to see God's commands not as restrictions, but as loving guidance from a Father who desires our best. Embracing this truth fosters a deeper relationship with God and empowers us to live a life that truly reflects His character and love to the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 14:15

    If ye love me, keep my commandments.

  • John 15:10

    If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

  • John 14:21

    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

  • John 14:24

    He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

  • 2 John 1:6

    And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

  • Deuteronomy 7:9

    Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

  • 1 John 2:3

    ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
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