1 John 4
Test the Spirits
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Prophecy: 1 Corinthians 14:29, 2 Peter 2:1. Faith: Proverbs 14:15, 1 Timothy 4:1. Parallel theme: 1 John 2:18, Luke 12:57, Acts 20:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 John 1:7 +5
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. References God: 1 John 4:16, 5:4, 5:19, Romans 8:31, 1 Corinthians 2:12. Parallel theme: 1 John 4:13, Romans 8:37, Ephesians 3:17, 6:10, Revelation 12:11 +5
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. of truth, and the spirit of error. References God: 1 John 4:4. Spirit: 1 John 4:1, Isaiah 29:10, Micah 3:8, John 14:17, 15:26, 1 Corinthians 14:37. Truth: John 18:37. Parallel theme: Isaiah 8:20, John 10:27 +5
God Is Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. References God: John 17:3, 2 Corinthians 4:6. Love: 1 John 2:10, 4:8, 4:12, Deuteronomy 30:6, Galatians 5:22, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Peter 1:22. Parallel theme: 1 John 2:29 +5
8 He that loveth not knoweth not GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally.; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. References God: 1 John 5:11, John 3:18. Love: 1 John 3:16, 4:10, John 3:16. Parallel theme: John 6:51, 6:57, 10:10, Romans 8:32, Hebrews 1:5 +5
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Sin: 1 John 2:2, Daniel 9:24, 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18. Love: 1 John 3:1, 4:19, John 3:16. Parallel theme: John 15:16 +3
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Love: 1 John 3:23, John 13:34. Parallel theme: Luke 10:37, Colossians 3:13
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we loveLove: ἀγάπη (Agape). The Greek agape (ἀγάπη) denotes self-sacrificial, unconditional love—the highest form of love, characterizing God's nature (1 John 4:8) and the love Christians are called to demonstrate. one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. References God: 1 John 4:6, Genesis 32:30, John 1:18, 1 Timothy 1:17. Love: 1 John 2:5, 4:20. Parallel theme: 1 John 3:24, Exodus 33:20, Numbers 12:8, 1 Timothy 6:16 +5
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his SpiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers.. Spirit: 1 John 3:24, 1 Corinthians 2:12
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Salvation: John 4:42, 12:47. Witness: 1 John 5:9, John 5:39, 1 Peter 5:12. Parallel theme: 1 John 4:10, John 1:14, 1:29, 3:34, Acts 18:5 +5
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our loveLove: ἀγάπη (Agape). The Greek agape (ἀγάπη) denotes self-sacrificial, unconditional love—the highest form of love, characterizing God's nature (1 John 4:8) and the love Christians are called to demonstrate. made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Love: 1 John 4:12, 2 Timothy 1:7. Parallel theme: Job 15:21, Psalms 73:19, 119:120, Romans 8:15, Hebrews 12:28, James 2:19 +3
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? Love: 1 John 3:17, 4:12, 1 Peter 1:8. Parallel theme: 1 John 1:6, 2:4, 2:9, 2:11 +2
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. Love: 1 John 3:11, 3:14, 3:23, Leviticus 19:18, John 15:12, Galatians 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Peter 3:8, 4:8. Parallel theme: Luke 10:37 +5