| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with kai {καί | kaí} linking this statement to the preceding discussion of love. The demonstrative phrase tauten ten entolen {ταύτην τὴν ἐντολήν | taútēn tḕn entolḗn} ‘this commandment’ refers back to the prior injunction. Echomen ap’ autou {ἔχομεν ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ | échomen ap’ autoû} establishes the origin of the command from God. The purpose clause introduced by hina {ἵνα | hína} contains a substantival participle ho agapōn ton theon {ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν θεόν | ho agapôn tón theón} ‘the one who loves God’, emphasizing habitual love. The subjunctive verb agapāi {ἀγαπᾷ | agapâi} expresses the necessity that such a person also love the brother (adelphos), with kai ton adelphōn autou paralleling love for God and love for fellow believers. The structure tightly links divine love and fraternal love as inseparable obligations. |