children of the devil - (See on 1Jo 3:8; Act 13:10). There is no middle class between the children of God and the children of the devil.
doeth not righteousness - Contrast 1Jo 2:29.
he that loveth not his brother - (1Jo 4:8); a particular instance of that love which is the sum and fulfillment of all righteousness, and the token (not loud professions, or even seemingly good works) that distinguishes God’s children from the devil’s.