Lest the vagueness of the objectless ἀγαπῶμεν encourage false security, St. John reiterates the old test: Love for the invisible Father is manifested in love for the brother by our side, the image of the Father. Cf. Whittier:

“Not thine the bigot's partial plea,

Nor thine the zealot's ban;

Thou well canst spare a love of thee

Which ends in hate of man”.

ψεύστης, see note on 1 John 1:6.

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Old Testament