---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For he who loves God cannot but love his…"
description: "\"“For he who loves God cannot but love his image too, in which he clearly views express characters of the Deity, and not a small degree of the brightnes..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg"
---

#  For he who loves God cannot but love his image too, in…

![“For he who loves God cannot but love his image too, in which he clearly views express characters of the Deity, and not a small degree of the brightness of his glory. Again, whoever loves God will, by virtue of that love, seriously wish, desire, study, and as much as in him lies be careful, that…” quote by Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg)

> ““For he who loves God cannot but love his image too, in which he clearly views express characters of the Deity, and not a small degree of the brightness of his glory. Again, whoever loves God will, by virtue of that love, seriously wish, desire, study, and as much as in him lies be careful, that his neighbour, as well as himself, be under God, in God, and for God, and all he has be for his glory. Again, whoever loves God will make it his business that God may appear every way admirable and glorious; and as he appears such most eminently in the sanctification and happiness of men, 2 Thess. 1:10, he will exert himself to the utmost that his neighbour make advances to holiness and happiness. Finally, whoever sincerely loves God will never think he loves and glorifies him enough; such excellencies he discovers in him, sees his name so illustrious, and so exalted above all praise, as to long that all mankind, nay all creatures, should join him in loving and celebrating the infinite perfections of God. But this is the most faithful and pure love of our neighbour, to seek that God may be glorified in him, and he himself be for the glory of God. Hence it appears, that the love of our neighbour is inseparably connected with that of God. If, therefore, it flows from the nature of God, to enjoin us the love of himself, as was just proved; it must likewise flow from the nature of God, to enjoin us the love of our neighbour.””

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Loving God compels love for neighbors; true devotion seeks to glorify God through caring for others, reflecting divine perfection.

**In simple terms:** Love God, love neighbor, glorify God.

Key Takeaway

Live to honor God by loving others.

Themes

theology ethics love community spiritual growth

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- church ministry
- family life
- social justice
- personal devotion

Key Concepts

divine love neighborly love holiness glorification

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance love for God and love for self?
- What practical steps show neighborly love today?

A Different Perspective

Human frailty can hinder perfect love; striving may lead to burnout.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Glory of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory-of-god/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God Enjoin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-enjoin-4540292/) [God Glorified](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-glorified-349978/) [God love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-love/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Loves God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loves-god/) [Nature Of God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-god/) [Neighbour God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbour-god-2847693/) [Pure love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pure-love/)

## Related quotes

> [“The sun only shines, just as God only loves. It is the nature of the sun to shine, to offer warmth and light. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-and-leslie-parrott/the-sun-only-shines-just-as-god-only-loves-it-is-the-nature-of-the/)

[Les and Leslie Parrott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-and-leslie-parrott/)

> [If you want my goodness to stay with you then serve your neighbour, for in him God comes to you himself; such a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/if-you-want-my-goodness-to-stay-with-you-then-serve-your-neighbour/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [“..chaos is the neighbour of God: but everything's usually neat and tidy in hell...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-kan-nesser/chaos-is-the-neighbour-of-god-but-everything-s-usually-neat-and-tidy/)

[Håkan Nesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-kan-nesser/)

> [This tree is indeed a Tree of Life, for without the higher and finer sentiments man does not life; he merely exists. If any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manly-hall/this-tree-is-indeed-a-tree-of-life-for-without-the-higher-and-finer/)

[Manly Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manly-hall/)

> [...the Lord said as He drew near His passion, 'Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/the-lord-said-as-he-drew-near-his-passion-now-is-the-son-of-man/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [“The great old catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” and answers, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-great-old-catechism-asks-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man-and-answers/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [God is glorified when His people find satisfaction in Him and in His provisions for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-anders/god-is-glorified-when-his-people-find-satisfaction-in-him-and-in-his/)

[Max Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-anders/)

> [We have a tendency to think of GOD being glorified only in the manifestation of his mercy----- He is just as glorified by His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-have-a-tendency-to-think-of-god-being-glorified-only-in-the/)

[R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/)

> [God is glorified through healing and deliverance, not through sickness and suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-e-hagin/god-is-glorified-through-healing-and-deliverance-not-through-sickness/)

[Kenneth E. Hagin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-e-hagin/)

> [Istead of praising yourself or others for the achivements and victories, ask yourself first. If GOD hasn't been there to help me, would I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/istead-of-praising-yourself-or-others-for-the-achivements-and/)

[Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/)

> [God is glorified, not by our groans, but by our thanksgivings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/god-is-glorified-not-by-our-groans-but-by-our-thanksgivings/)

[Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/)

> [“That God may be glorified in so furnishing the means as to show that it is not a vain thing to trust in him;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-god-may-be-glorified-in-so-furnishing-the-means-as-to-show-that/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When we believe that we ought to be satisfied, rather than God glorified, we set God below ourselves, imagine that He should submit His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/when-we-believe-that-we-ought-to-be-satisfied-rather-than-god/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Where God is not glorified, that place is sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/where-god-is-not-glorified-that-place-is-sick/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [God is glorified not only by His glory being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/god-is-glorified-not-only-by-his-glory-being-seen-but-by-its-being/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

## More by Herman Witsius

> [“For if any decree of God could be changed, it would be, because God either would not or could not effect the thing decreed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/for-if-any-decree-of-god-could-be-changed-it-would-be-because-god/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“When the dispenser of the mysteries of God, takes the bread and the cup of blessing into his hands before the eyes of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/when-the-dispenser-of-the-mysteries-of-god-takes-the-bread-and-the/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“This election to glory is not some general decree of God about saving the faithful and the godly, who shall persevere in their faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/this-election-to-glory-is-not-some-general-decree-of-god-about-saving/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“But if we take in the whole extent of the image of God, we say, it is made up of these three parts. 1st.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/but-if-we-take-in-the-whole-extent-of-the-image-of-god-we-say-it-is/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“It seems therefore more advisable, and more becoming both the faith and piety of Adam, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who accurately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/it-seems-therefore-more-advisable-and-more-becoming-both-the-faith/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“...No one teaches well unless he has first learned well; no one learns well unless he learns in order to teach. And both learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/no-one-teaches-well-unless-he-has-first-learned-well-no-one-learns/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“Divine compassion published to wretched man, immediately upon his fall, the first doctrine of grace; in such a manner, indeed, as in few words,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/divine-compassion-published-to-wretched-man-immediately-upon-his-fall/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“I pre-suppose, as a self-evident truth, and clear from the very meaning of the words, that the great God has a sovereign and uncontrollable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/i-pre-suppose-as-a-self-evident-truth-and-clear-from-the-very-meaning/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“also appears, that these words of God not only may, but ought, to be explained in this manner. For since the decalogue, which constitutes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/also-appears-that-these-words-of-god-not-only-may-but-ought-to-be/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

> [“And it is the interest of believers to endeavour earnestly after this assurance of their election. For, 1st, It is not possible, they should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/and-it-is-the-interest-of-believers-to-endeavour-earnestly-after-this/)

[Herman Witsius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

[Explore all 11 Herman Witsius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/)

## More Glory of god quotes

> [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/)

[Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/)

> [“Even in the miserable guilt we feel over our beastlike insensitivity, the glory of God shines. If God were not gloriously desirable, why would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/even-in-the-miserable-guilt-we-feel-over-our-beastlike-insensitivity/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-young/the-heavens-declare-the-glory-of-god-the-skies-proclaim-the-work-of/)

[Sarah Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-young/)

> [“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. – Revelation 21:23”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-morgan/the-city-had-no-need-of-the-sun-or-of-the-moon-to-shine-in-it-for-the/)

[Robert J. Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-morgan/)

> [“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psalm-19-1-esv/the-heavens-declare-the-glory-of-god-and-the-sky-above-proclaims-his/)

[Psalm 19 1 ESV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/psalm-19-1-esv/)

> [You don't have to be Sigmund Freud to surmise that war has a perverse appeal for the human race, nor is the attraction limited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-willis/you-don-t-have-to-be-sigmund-freud-to-surmise-that-war-has-a-perverse/)

[Ellen Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-willis/)

> [ “since we have been justified by faith,  b we \[1\] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also  c obtained access… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/since-we-have-been-justified-by-faith-b-we-1-have-peace-with-god/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Love is doing what will enthrall the beloved with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the beloved this way is the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/love-is-doing-what-will-enthrall-the-beloved-with-the-greatest-and/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“The beginning of effective prayer is learning to continually walk in worship, with our main goal always being to increase and experience the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-trimm/the-beginning-of-effective-prayer-is-learning-to-continually-walk-in/)

[Cindy Trimm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-trimm/)

> [It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling. And I give all the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabby-douglas/it-is-everything-i-thought-it-would-be-being-the-olympic-champion-it/)

[Gabby Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabby-douglas/)

> [People may hurt your feelings, Jesus will never hurt your feelings. However, we all are sinners. In Jesus' name, Amen! According to Romans 3:23…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sa-sudol/people-may-hurt-your-feelings-jesus-will-never-hurt-your-feelings/)

[SA Sudol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sa-sudol/)

> [God will seek us -- how long? Until he finds us. And when he's found the last little shriveling rebellious soul and has depopulated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-jordan/god-will-seek-us-how-long-until-he-finds-us-and-when-he-s-found-the/)

[Clarence Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-jordan/)

> [It's such a biblical posture in worship that speaks of reverence. If you look through the Bible, there's a whole host of people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-redman/it-s-such-a-biblical-posture-in-worship-that-speaks-of-reverence-if/)

[Matt Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-redman/)

> [If we have no zeal for the glory of God our mercy must be superficial, man-centred human improvement with no eternal significance. And if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/if-we-have-no-zeal-for-the-glory-of-god-our-mercy-must-be-superficial/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

[Browse all 523 Glory of god quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory-of-god/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“For he who loves God cannot but love his image too, in which he clearly views express characters of the Deity, and not a small degree of the brightness of his glory. Again, whoever loves God will, by virtue of that love, seriously wish, desire, study, and as much as in him lies be careful, that his neighbour, as well as himself, be under God, in God, and for God, and all he has be for his glory. Again, whoever loves God will make it his business that God may appear every way admirable and glorious; and as he appears such most eminently in the sanctification and happiness of men, 2 Thess. 1:10, he will exert himself to the utmost that his neighbour make advances to holiness and happiness. Finally, whoever sincerely loves God will never think he loves and glorifies him enough; such excellencies he discovers in him, sees his name so illustrious, and so exalted above all praise, as to long that all mankind, nay all creatures, should join him in loving and celebrating the infinite perfections of God. But this is the most faithful and pure love of our neighbour, to seek that God may be glorified in him, and he himself be for the glory of God. Hence it appears, that the love of our neighbour is inseparably connected with that of God. If, therefore, it flows from the nature of God, to enjoin us the love of himself, as was just proved; it must likewise flow from the nature of God, to enjoin us the love of our neighbour.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Herman Witsius"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his-image-too-in-which-he/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Glory of god"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his-image-too-in-which-he/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f12/herman-witsius-39363_glory-of-god_for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his_1342591.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“For he who loves God cannot but love his image too, in which he clearly views express characters of the…” — Herman Witsius",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Herman Witsius",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-witsius/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“For he who loves God cannot...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his-image-too-in-which-he/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-witsius/for-he-who-loves-god-cannot-but-love-his-image-too-in-which-he/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
