1 John 4:1-2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

Confession of the Incarnation is the assurance that the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of truth, is working in us, and not the spirit of error. The passage seems clearly to teach that there are two rival influences contending for power over the spirits of men. We must test men's spirits to see whether they are organs of the Spirit of truth or of the spirit of error. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

The power of trying the spirits. In the preceding homily we laid stress on the duty here indicated of "trying the spirits," and also on the test with which we are furnished for applying to them through all time. We moreover there referred almost exclusively to them as ψευδοπροφῆται rather than as πνεύματα . But a close study of all the clauses in these six verses will disclose to us teachings of great vividness and power concerning the false prophets themselves—the point from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

The spirit of truth and the spirit of error. I. NEED FOR TESTING . "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Again, at the thought of danger, his heart warms toward his readers as his beloved. It is necessary to bear in mind the circumstances in which they were placed. They had the help of true prophets. The apostolic age had not come to an end. John was still living; and there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:2

This verso contains the main subject of the section. To confess the Incarnation is to prove that one draws one's inspiration from God through his Spirit. Know ye; or, recognize ye γινώσκετε , may be either imperative, in harmony with "believe" and "prove" ( 1 John 4:1 ), or indicative, in harmony with "we know" ( 1 John 3:16 , [19,] 24). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:1

Beloved, believe not every spirit - Do not confide implicitly in everyone who professes to be under the influences of the Holy Spirit. Compare Matthew 24:4-5. The true and the false teachers of religion alike claimed to be under the influence of the Spirit of God, and it was of importance that all such pretensions should be examined. It was not to be admitted because anyone claimed to have been sent from God that therefore he was sent. Every such claim should be subjected to the proper proof... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:2

Hereby - Greek, “By this;” that is, by the test which is immediately specified.Know ye the Spirit of God - You may discern who are actuated by the Spirit of God.Every spirit - Everyone professing to be under the influence of the Spirit of God. The apostle uses the word “spirit” here with reference to the person who made the claim, on the supposition that everyone professing to be a religious teacher was animated by some spirit or foreign influence, good or bad. If the Spirit of God influenced... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:1

1 John 4:1. Because the Gnostics and other heretics, in the first age, to gain the greater credit to their erroneous doctrines, assumed to themselves the character and authority of inspired teachers, John put his disciples in mind, (1 John 2:27,) that they had an unction from the Holy Spirit, by which they were enabled to judge with certainty, both of teachers and of their doctrine. He therefore, in this chapter, commands them not to believe rashly every teacher who pretended to be inspired,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:2

1 John 4:2 . Hereby By the following plain mark; know ye the Spirit of God In a teacher. Every spirit Of a teacher; that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God Doddridge, with many other commentators, reads this clause, Every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ, who is come in the flesh, is of God: that is, that confesseth him to be the Messiah, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, and that both with heart and voice, sincerely believing him to be such, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

Truth and error (4:1-6)Christians should examine carefully the teaching they receive, because not all teaching is correct, in spite of speakers’ claims that they are speaking by God’s Spirit. Wrong teaching about Christ may please those who do not want to believe that the Son of God is also a real man, but such teaching is from the devil (4:1-3).There is no need for Christians to fear the false teachers, because those in whom God dwells can overcome those in whom Satan dwells (4). There will... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 4:1

Beloved . App-135 . believe . App-150 . spirit . App-101 . try = test, prove. By the Word of God. Greek. dokimazo. See Romans 1:28 with Romans 12:2 . whether = if. App-118 . of . App-104 . God . App-98 . false prophets . Greek. pseudoproptetes. First occurance: Matthew 7:15 . into . App-104 . world . App-129 . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 John 4:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 4:2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:1-6

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 4:1

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