1 John 4:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Here is how you recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges that Yeshua the Messiah came as a human being is from God,

Berean Standard Bible:

By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Hereby^{{G1722}{G3739}{G5129}} know ye^{G1097} the Spirit^{G4151} of God^{G2316}: Every^{G3956} spirit^{G4151} that confesseth^{G3670} that Jesus^{G2424} Christ^{G5547} is come^{G2064} in^{G1722} the flesh^{G4561} is^{G2076} of^{G1537} God^{G2316}:

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Commentary for 1 John 4:2

1 John 4:2 addresses the theme of discerning the true Spirit of God from false spirits or teachings that were circulating among early Christian communities. During the time this epistle was written, likely in the late 1st century, there was a great deal of theological confusion and heretical beliefs emerging within the church. One of these heresies, known as Docetism, denied the true humanity of Jesus Christ, claiming that he only seemed to have a physical body (from the Greek "dokeo," to seem).

The verse emphasizes that a reliable test for the presence of God's Spirit is the acknowledgment of the incarnation—that Jesus Christ has truly come in the flesh. This confession affirms both the full humanity and the full divinity of Christ, a central tenet of orthodox Christian faith. By stating "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God," the author, traditionally believed to be the Apostle John, provides a clear criterion for evaluating true Christian doctrine and the authenticity of spiritual experiences or revelations.

In essence, 1 John 4:2 serves as a touchstone for believers to distinguish between true and false teachings about Jesus, ensuring that the core belief in the incarnation remains at the heart of Christian faith and practice. This verse underscores the importance of correct Christology for maintaining the integrity of the Gospel message in the face of heretical challenges.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5129
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τούτῳ
   Transliteration: toútōi
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: dative case singular masculine or neuter of οὗτος; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1097
   There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γινώσκω
   Transliteration: ginṓskō
   Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3670
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁμολογέω
   Transliteration: homologéō
   Pronunciation: hom-ol-og-eh'-o
   Description: from a compound of the base of ὁμοῦ and λόγος; to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge:--con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5547
    There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Χριστός
    Transliteration: Christós
    Pronunciation: khris-tos'
    Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4561
    There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σάρξ
    Transliteration: sárx
    Pronunciation: sarx
    Description: probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
    
13. 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.
    
14. 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.