1 John 4:1-3 KJV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 4:3

Verse 3 3.And this is that spirit of Antichrist The Apostle added this, to render more detestable the impostures which lead us away from Christ. We have already said that the doctrine respecting the kingdom of Antichrist was well known; so that the faithful had been warned as to the future scattering of the Church, in order that they might exercise vigilance. Justly then did they dread the name as something base and ominous. The Apostle says now, that all those who depreciated Christ were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1

Beloved (as in 1 John 2:28 and 1 John 3:18 , the apostle again breaks out with a personal appeal into an earnest exhortation suggested by the statement just made), prove the spirit s δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα . "The spirits" are principles and tendencies in religion: these need to be tested, for earnestness and fervour are no guarantee of truth. And to test these principles is the duty of the individual Christian as well as of the Church in its official capacity. Just as every... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-3

Tests of true or false prophets. Connecting link: The apostle had just declared that, in a life of obedience to and of like spirit with God, we had a twofold seal—firstly, that we are of the truth; and secondly, that God abideth in us. But it was not to be supposed that all this would remain unimpugned from without, however clear it might be to the spirit within. At the same time, we are not to be easily moved from our ground. But should any attempt to seduce us from the faith, we are to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:3

Every spirit (not so much the personal teacher as the principle or tendency of the doctrine) which confesseth not Jesus. This is the true reading, the words χριστὸν ἐν σαρκὶ ἐληλυθότα being a spurious addition from 1 John 4:1 . As so often, St. John states the ease both negatively and positively for emphasis. There is an ancient variant reading of much interest, probably of Latin origin, which can be traced back to the second century, being known to Tertullian and Iranaeus. For ... 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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:1-3

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 4:3

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

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

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