1 John 4:20 bbe — If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no lo…

Bible in Basic English

"If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no love for his brother whom he has seen, able to have love for God whom he has not seen?"

— 1 John 4:20, Bible in Basic English

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1 John 4:20 in Other Translations

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KJV
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV

1 John 4 — Context

In this way love is made complete in us, so that we may be without fear on the day of judging, because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love: true love has no room for fear, because where fear is, there is pain; and he who is not free from fear is not complete in love.

We have the power of loving, because he first had love for us.

If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no love for his brother whom he has seen, able to have love for God whom he has not seen?

And this is the word which we have from him, that he who has love for God is to have the same love for his brother.

1 John 4:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does 1 John 4:20 say?

1 John 4:20 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no love for his brother whom he has seen, able to have love for God whom he has not seen?”

Where is 1 John 4:20 in the Bible?

1 John 4:20 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, chapter 4, verse 20.

Who wrote 1 John?

1 John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. It was written c. AD 85–95.

What is the book of 1 John about?

John writes to help believers know they have eternal life. Three tests run through the letter: do you walk in the light, love one another, and confess that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh? Where these are present, assurance follows.

What are the major themes of 1 John?

1 John explores themes including Assurance, Love, Light, Truth vs. Error, Eternal Life. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 John 4:20.

What translation should I read 1 John 4:20 in?

1 John 4:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

How can I memorize 1 John 4:20?

1 John 4:20 reads (BBE): “If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no love for his brother whom he has seen, able to have love for God whom he has not seen?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.

1 John 4:20 bbe — If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no lo…

Read in Another Translation

1 John 4:20 in Other Translations

1 John 4 — Context

1 John 4:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

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