1 John 4:6

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.

We {G2249} are {G2070} of {G1537} God {G2316}: he that knoweth {G1097} God {G2316} heareth {G191} us {G2257}; he that {G3739} is {G2076} not {G3756} of {G1537} God {G2316} heareth {G191} not {G3756} us {G2257}. Hereby {G1537}{G5127} know we {G1097} the spirit {G4151} of truth {G225}, and {G2532} the spirit {G4151} of error {G4106}.

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God doesn’t listen to us. This is how we distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error.

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.

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

1 John 4:6 serves as a vital guide for spiritual discernment, building upon the apostle John's earlier warnings about false teachers. This verse provides a clear criterion for distinguishing between those who truly represent God and those who are guided by deceptive influences.

Context

This verse follows directly from John's exhortation in 1 John 4:1-3 to "test the spirits." In a time when many false prophets and teachers were emerging, claiming divine revelation but denying the true nature of Christ (specifically, Jesus Christ come in the flesh), the early church needed clear markers of authenticity. John presents himself and other true apostles/teachers as the standard bearers of God's truth, contrasting their message with the doctrines of those who are "not of God."

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Affiliation and Authority: The declaration "We are of God" asserts the divine origin and authority of the apostolic message. This implies that those who are genuinely connected to God will recognize and receive this truth.
  • The Test of Obedience and Reception: "He that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us." This isn't just about intellectual agreement but about a spiritual alignment. Those who truly know God (in a relational sense) possess a spiritual sensitivity that allows them to discern and accept the truth spoken by God's messengers. Conversely, those not aligned with God will reject it.
  • Discernment Between Truth and Error: The verse culminates in stating, "Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." The acceptance or rejection of apostolic teaching (which is rooted in Christ's revelation) becomes the litmus test for identifying the source of any spirit or teaching—whether it originates from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, or from a deceiving spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "knoweth God" uses the Greek verb ginosko, which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. This deep, personal relationship with God enables one to discern His voice and His truth. To "hear" (Greek: akouei) means more than just perceiving sounds; it signifies listening with understanding, receiving, and obeying. The "spirit of truth" (pneuma tēs alētheias) is a clear reference to the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would guide believers into all truth (John 16:13). The "spirit of error" (pneuma tēs planēs) refers to a spirit of delusion or wandering from the truth, leading people astray.

Practical Application

In an age filled with diverse voices and spiritual claims, 1 John 4:6 remains profoundly relevant. It encourages believers to cultivate a deep, personal knowledge of God through His Word and prayer, which sharpens their spiritual senses. This intimate knowledge enables them to discern authentic Christian teaching from false doctrines. When evaluating spiritual claims or teachings, ask: Does it align with the consistent message of Scripture? Does it honor Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, truly God and truly man? Does it lead to love, righteousness, and obedience to God? Our reception of truth is a reflection of our relationship with God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 14:17

    [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

  • John 10:27

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:12

    Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

  • John 15:26

    But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

  • 1 John 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.

  • John 8:45

    And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.

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