1 John 4:6

Translations

Modern

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Traditional

We 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.

Literal

We are of God. The one knowing God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Latin

Nos ex Deo sumus. Qui novit Deum, audit nos; qui non est ex Deo, non audit nos: in hoc cognoscimus Spiritum veritatis, et spiritum erroris.

Original

Greek

English

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Notes

1 John 4:6

We are from God: John tests whether a person truly belongs to Christ by seeing if that person listens to the teachings of the apostles and agrees with them.
The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:13–15). The Holy Spirit teaches the truth about Christ (1 John 2:20, 27).
False prophets have a spirit of deception. This is the spirit of antichrist, which leads people away from Christ (see study note on 2:22). For this reason, staying united with the historic body of Christ and remaining faithful to the shared teaching that began with the apostles shows loyalty to Christ’s work in the world.

1 John 4:1–6

Those who belong to God can tell the difference between spiritual truth and error (4:4). The presence of the Holy Spirit teaches them (3:23–24; see 2:20, 27; John 14:15–26; 16:5–15). Yet John gives clear tests that Christians can use so that there will be no confusion. These tests are a beginning point for identifying true teachers, not a complete list. John designed them to answer the false teachings that were spreading in the churches of the people he is writing to.

Theme notes and profiles

Knowing God

Related verses

John 14:17
…the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
1 Corinthians 2:12–14
We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
John 15:26
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
John 8:45–50
But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
John 18:37
“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
1 John 4:4
You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
1 Corinthians 14:37
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
2 Thessalonians 2:9–11
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
Micah 3:8
As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Glossary

First Letter of John Son of God

Topics

Knowing God Righteousness: Fruits of Unclean Spirits Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to

1 John 4:6

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