This is the negative expression of the preceding verse, indicating its obvious importance by the repetition.

It is impossible to follow Jesus without loving Him. Again, it is impossible to obey the teachings of Jesus without loving Him. Love is a neccesary ingredient. Men may do their best to be good, but inside they will still fail, for their motivations must of neccessity be wrong. The only “right” motivation in doing good deeds is love for God.

Note also that the negative of the previous verse would also apply to those who do not love Jesus: the Father and the Son would not come to him and would not make their home with him. The one who does not love Jesus cannot receive the revelation of God and cannot have fellowship with God. He can be used by God (can you think of any examples?), but to truly understand God, we must love Jesus, because this results in obedience and he who walks in the way of God inevitably walks with God.

Jesus again notes that the words He speaks come directly from the Father. “There can be no higher authority.” (Morris)