King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Dear friends, don’t trust every spirit. On the contrary, test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Beloved{G27}, believe{G4100} not{G3361} every{G3956} spirit{G4151}, but{G235} try{G1381} the spirits{G4151} whether{G1487} they are{G2076} of{G1537} God{G2316}: because{G3754} many{G4183} false prophets{G5578} are gone out{G1831} into{G1519} the world{G2889}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Thessalonians 5:21
- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
2 Peter 2:1
- ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
1 Timothy 4:1
- ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 John 1:7
- ¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Proverbs 14:15
- ¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.
Matthew 24:4
- ¶ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Matthew 24:5
- For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
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Commentary for 1 John 4:1
1 John 4:1 is part of the First Epistle of John, traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, who was one of Jesus' original twelve disciples. This letter is believed to have been written near the end of the first century to early Christian communities in Asia Minor, addressing issues of faith, love, and the nature of Christ. The historical context suggests that these believers were facing challenges from various heretical teachings, including Gnosticism and Docetism, which distorted the true nature of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith.
The verse itself emphasizes discernment within the Christian community. John, writing to his "beloved" readers, warns them to be cautious and not accept every spiritual teaching or manifestation without question. He advises them to "try the spirits," which means to test or discern whether these teachings or prophecies originate from God. This call to discernment is crucial because many false prophets had emerged, spreading deceptive messages that could lead believers astray.
The themes of 1 John 4:1 include the importance of spiritual discernment, the existence of false prophets, and the need for vigilance in the Christian faith. John's warning reflects Jesus' own prophecies about the rise of false prophets in the end times (Matthew 24:11, 24) and underscores the ongoing struggle between truth and deception in the life of the church. The verse encourages believers to be theologically astute, to hold fast to the apostolic teaching they have received, and to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to distinguish between true and false doctrine. This discernment is essential for maintaining the integrity of the faith and for the spiritual safety and growth of the Christian community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G27
There are 698 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγαπητός
Transliteration: agapētós
Pronunciation: ag-ap-ay-tos'
Description: from ἀγαπάω; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear. - Strong's Number: G4100
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πιστεύω
Transliteration: pisteúō
Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ. - Strong's Number: G3956
There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πᾶς
Transliteration: pâs
Pronunciation: pas
Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever. - Strong's Number: G4151
There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πνεῦμα
Transliteration: pneûma
Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή. - Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. - Strong's Number: G1381
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δοκιμάζω
Transliteration: dokimázō
Pronunciation: dok-im-ad'-zo
Description: from δόκιμος; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:--allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try. - Strong's Number: G1487
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ
Transliteration: ei
Pronunciation: i
Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G4183
There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πολύς
Transliteration: polýs
Pronunciation: pol-oos'
Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων. - Strong's Number: G5578
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ψευδοπροφήτης
Transliteration: pseudoprophḗtēs
Pronunciation: psyoo-dop-rof-ay'-tace
Description: from ψευδής and προφήτης; a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor:--false prophet. - Strong's Number: G1831
There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
Transliteration: exérchomai
Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G2889
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κόσμος
Transliteration: kósmos
Pronunciation: kos'-mos
Description: probably from the base of κομίζω; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.