1 John 4

King James Version

Full text for 1 John Chapter 4

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.

2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3And 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.

5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9In 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.

10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16And 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 love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19We love him, because he first loved us.

20If a man say, I love God, 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?

21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The chapter exhorts believers to test spirits, distinguishing true prophets who confess Jesus Christ in the flesh from false ones. It then emphasizes that God is love, and His love was manifested by sending His Son as propitiation for sins. Consequently, believers are commanded to love one another, for genuine love for God is inseparable from love for one's brother, and perfect love casts out fear.

Medium Summary

Believers are first admonished to discern spirits, as many false prophets have entered the world. The criterion for a spirit being of God is its confession that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; denial signifies the spirit of antichrist. The apostle assures believers that they have overcome these false spirits because the indwelling Spirit of God is greater than worldly influences. The discourse then transitions to the paramount theme of love, declaring that God is love itself. God's profound love for humanity was demonstrated by sending His only begotten Son to provide life and propitiation for sins. Therefore, if God so loved us, believers are obligated to love one another, for this mutual love signifies God dwelling within them and His love being perfected. Furthermore, true love for God is inextricably linked to love for one's brother, and perfect love banishes all fear, providing boldness for the day of judgment.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with a critical instruction for believers to test all spirits, rather than believing every claim, due to the proliferation of false prophets in the world. A clear test is provided: any spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, while any spirit denying this truth is identified as the spirit of antichrist, already present in the world. Believers are encouraged, being assured that they are of God and have overcome such spirits, for the divine presence within them is superior to any worldly influence. Those who are of the world speak worldly things and are heard by the world, whereas those who are of God hear and are heard by fellow believers, thus distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. The epistle then pivots to the foundational doctrine that God is love, urging believers to love one another. It states that anyone who loves is born of God and knows God; conversely, one who does not love does not know God. The supreme manifestation of God's love towards humanity is highlighted: He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that mankind might live through Him. This love is further defined not as humanity's initial love for God, but as God's prior love for us, demonstrated by sending His Son as the propitiation for our sins. Consequently, if God loved us with such magnitude, believers are morally bound to love one another. Although God remains unseen, mutual love among believers signifies God dwelling within them and His love reaching its perfection in them. This indwelling is further confirmed by the Spirit He has given us. The apostles testify to having seen and now proclaiming that the Father sent the Son as the Saviour of the world, and whoever confesses Jesus as the Son of God experiences God dwelling in them. Dwelling in love is equated with dwelling in God, and God in the believer. This perfected love instills boldness for the day of judgment, as believers are in this world as He is. Finally, perfect love is shown to cast out fear, for fear implies torment and a lack of perfected love, emphasizing that our love for God is a response to His prior love for us. The chapter concludes with a direct commandment: genuine love for God necessitates love for one's brother, as hating a visible brother while claiming to love an invisible God is a contradiction and a lie.

Core Concepts

  • Discerning SpiritsBelievers are commanded to test all spirits, as many false prophets have emerged, to distinguish between those of God and those of the world.
  • Confession of ChristThe primary test for discerning spirits is whether they confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; denial of this truth identifies the spirit of antichrist.
  • God is LoveThis fundamental attribute of God is declared, underscoring that love originates from Him and is the essence of His being.
  • Manifestation of God's LoveGod's love for humanity was supremely demonstrated by His sending His only begotten Son into the world as a propitiation for sins, so that mankind might have life through Him.
  • Mutual Love Among BelieversAs a direct consequence of God's love for us, believers are commanded to love one another, signifying God's indwelling and the perfection of His love in them.
  • Perfect Love and FearPerfect love for God and others is presented as casting out all fear, particularly concerning the day of judgment, because fear implies torment and an incomplete love.
  • Love for God and BrotherThe chapter asserts that genuine love for God is inseparable from love for one's brother; claiming to love God while hating a brother is deemed a lie and a violation of divine commandment.