Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. That Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messias, the Redeemer of the world, is born of God, is made his adoptive son by his grace in baptism. Witham.—Is born of God; that is, is justified, and become a child of God by baptism; which is also to be understood, provided the belief of this fundamental article of the Christian faith be accompanied with all the other conditions, which, by the word of God and his appointment, are also required for justification; such as a general belief of all that God has revealed and promised; hope, love, repentance, and a sincere disposition to keep God’s holy law and commandments. Challoner.—Loveth him [1] that begot; that is the eternal Father.—Loveth him also who was born of him; that is loveth him who is his only begotten and eternal Son. Witham.