1 John 2:4

2:4 The one who says “I have come to know God” 1  and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person.

1 John 4:20

4:20 If anyone says 2  “I love God” and yet 3  hates his fellow Christian, 4  he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian 5  whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 6 

1 tn Grk “know him.” See the note on the phrase “know God” in 1 John 2:3 for explanation.

2 tn Grk “if anyone should say…”

3 tn “Yet” is supplied to bring out the contrast.

4 tn See note on the phrase “fellow Christian” in 2:9.

5 tn See note on the phrase “fellow Christian” in 2:9.

6 sn In 4:20 the author again describes the opponents, who claim to love God. Their failure to show love for their fellow Christians proves their claim to know God to be false: The one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.