1 John 4:1

Authorized King James Version

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Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Original Language Analysis

Ἀγαπητοί, Beloved G27
Ἀγαπητοί, Beloved
Strong's: G27
Word #: 1 of 21
beloved
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 2 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
παντὶ every G3956
παντὶ every
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 3 of 21
all, any, every, the whole
πνεύματα spirit G4151
πνεύματα spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 4 of 21
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
πιστεύετε believe G4100
πιστεύετε believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 5 of 21
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
δοκιμάζετε try G1381
δοκιμάζετε try
Strong's: G1381
Word #: 7 of 21
to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματα spirit G4151
πνεύματα spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 9 of 21
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
εἰ whether G1487
εἰ whether
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 10 of 21
if, whether, that, etc
ἐκ of G1537
ἐκ of
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 11 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ God G2316
Θεοῦ God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 13 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐστιν they are G2076
ἐστιν they are
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 14 of 21
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὅτι because G3754
ὅτι because
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 15 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πολλοὶ many G4183
πολλοὶ many
Strong's: G4183
Word #: 16 of 21
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ψευδοπροφῆται false prophets G5578
ψευδοπροφῆται false prophets
Strong's: G5578
Word #: 17 of 21
a spurious prophet, i.e., pretended foreteller or religious impostor
ἐξεληλύθασιν are gone out G1831
ἐξεληλύθασιν are gone out
Strong's: G1831
Word #: 18 of 21
to issue (literally or figuratively)
εἰς into G1519
εἰς into
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 19 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμον the world G2889
κόσμον the world
Strong's: G2889
Word #: 21 of 21
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

Analysis & Commentary

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Following chapter 3's conclusion about the Spirit, John warns believers to test spiritual claims. "Beloved" (agapētoi) introduces urgent pastoral counsel. "Believe not every spirit" (mē panti pneumati pisteuete)—the present imperative prohibits ongoing, indiscriminate belief. Not every supernatural manifestation or teaching claiming divine authority originates with God.

"But try the spirits whether they are of God" (alla dokimazete ta pneumata ei ek tou theou estin). Dokimazō (δοκιμάζω) means to test, examine, or prove. Believers must discern true from false spiritual teaching. The criterion is whether it's "of God" (ek tou theou)—originating from and consistent with God's revealed truth. This testing is a command, not optional—spiritual discernment is every believer's responsibility.

"Because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (hoti polloi pseudoprophētai exelēlythasin eis ton kosmon). The perfect tense indicates completed action with continuing results—false prophets have gone out and remain active. These weren't hypothetical threats but real dangers infiltrating the church. The qualifier "many" underscores the severity—deception wasn't rare but prevalent. This warning echoes Jesus's prediction of false prophets (Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24) and Paul's warnings (Acts 20:29-30, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Historical Context

First-century Christianity faced numerous false teachers. Gnostic teachers claimed special revelations and secret knowledge. Judaizers insisted Gentile Christians must keep Mosaic law. Docetists denied Christ's true humanity. The criterion for testing spirits—confession of Jesus Christ come in flesh (v. 2-3)—addressed specifically the docetic heresy prevalent in the Johannine community.

Jewish tradition emphasized testing prophetic claims by consistency with Torah (Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:20-22). The early church applied similar rigor, testing teaching by apostolic doctrine (Acts 17:11, Galatians 1:8-9). The proliferation of false teaching in church history validates John's warning—every generation must exercise discernment, testing teaching against Scripture.

Questions for Reflection

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