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Commentary on 1 John 4 verses 4–6
In these verses the apostle encourages the disciples against the fear and danger of this seducing antichristian spirit, and that by such methods as these: - 1. He assures them of a more divine principle in them: "You are of God, little children, Jo1 4:4. You are God's little children. We are of God, Jo1 4:6. We are born of God, taught of God, anointed of God, and so secured against infectious fatal delusions. God has his chosen, who shall not be mortally seduced." 2. He gives them hope of victory: "And have overcome them, Jo1 4:4. You have hitherto overcome these deceivers and their temptations, and there is good ground of hope that you will do so still, and that upon these two accounts:" - (1.) "There is a strong preserver within you: Because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world, Jo1 4:4. The Spirit of God dwells in you, and that Spirit is more mighty than men of devils." It is a great happiness to be under the influence of the Holy Ghost. (2.) "You are not of the same temper with these deceivers. The Spirit of God hath framed your mind for God and heaven; but they are of the world. The spirit that prevails in them leads them to this world; their heart is addicted thereto; they study the pomp, the pleasure, and interest of the world: and therefore speak they of the world; they profess a worldly messiah and saviour; they project a worldly kingdom and dominion; the possessions and treasures of the world would they engross to themselves, forgetting that the true Redeemer's kingdom is not of this world. This worldly design procures them proselytes: The world heareth them, Jo1 4:5. They are followed by such as themselves: the world will love its own, and its own will love it. But those are in a fair way to conquer pernicious seductions who have conquered the love of this seducing world." Then, 3. He represents to them that though their company might be the smaller, yet it was the better; they had more divine and holy knowledge: "He that knoweth God heareth us. He who knows the purity and holiness of God, the love and grace of God, the truth and faithfulness of God, the ancient word and prophecies of God, the signals and testimonials of God, must know that he is with us; and he who knows this will attend to us, and abide with us." He that is well furnished with natural religion will the more faithfully cleave to Christianity. He that knoweth God (in his natural and moral excellences, revelations, and works) heareth us, Jo1 4:6. As, on the contrary, "He that is not of God heareth not us. He who knows not God regards not us. He that is not born of God (walking according to his natural disposition) walks not with us. The further any are from God (as appears in all ages) the further they are from Christ and his faithful servants; and the more addicted persons are to this world the more remote they are from the spirit of Christianity. Thus you have a distinction between us and others: Hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error, Jo1 4:6. This doctrine concerning the Saviour's person leading you from the world to God is a signature of the Spirit of truth, in opposition to the spirit of error. The more pure and holy any doctrine is the more likely is it to be of God."
If we take the word hear literally, it is clear that this cannot be true, since everybody can pick up the sounds of the words. It is therefore clear that the word means something more than that—it means that we should do what we hear. If someone does not know that he is supposed to act, he has not really heard.
"We are of God." Let us see why; see whether it be for any other thing than charity. "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 of error:" namely by this, that he that heareth us hath the spirit of truth; he that heareth not us, hath the spirit of error. Let us see what he adviseth, and let us choose rather to hear him advising in the spirit of truth, and not antichrists, not lovers of the world, not the world. If we are born of God, "beloved," he goes on-see above from what: "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 of error:" aye, now, he makes us eagerly attentive: to be told that he who knows God, hears; but he who knows not, hears not; and that this is the discerning between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
We are of God. He who knows God, etc. For the carnal man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. Therefore, he who does not want to hear the preachers of charity is undoubtedly known not to know God, nor to be of God, because he has neglected to imitate the charity that God has exercised towards men.
In this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. In this, indeed, because he who listens to us has the Spirit of truth; he who does not listen to us has the spirit of error. And this is the distinction of spirits, about which he warned above, saying: "Test the spirits to see whether they are of God." But let us see what he is about to admonish, in which we should hear him:
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world, therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Whereby he gave knowledge of the Lord to the prophets and apostles: he adds: But you, beloved, since you are of God, have overcome them, namely the false prophets. How? Because the God who is in you is greater than he who is in the world, according to whom the false prophets chose to live. Then John adds another sign of their false prophets, which also greatly saddened the simpler believers. For it was likely that some of these found it hard to accept, while they saw that many held them in esteem, but they themselves were despised, and John said: "Do not be affected by sorrow if you are despised by many; they are indeed accepted by these."
For a similar thing runs to its like. "They are from the world, therefore they speak from the world." They are of the world, and when they speak of the world, that is, they teach according to fleshly desires, they have those who obey them, the perverse with the perverse. But we, being from God and alienated from fleshly desires, cannot be received by them.
However, He listens to us who lives temperately, and whoever knows God, ready to give us hearing. Therefore, Christ also said: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," (Matt. 11:15) testifying that only he who is prepared for obedience has ears.
Having distinguished these, John then adds as a seal of those things already said, that through this (namely, what has already been said) we recognize those who have the spirit of truth or true prophetic dignity, and those who have the spirit of error or false prophecy.
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SUMMARY
First John 4:6 serves as a foundational declaration of apostolic authority and a crucial criterion for spiritual discernment within the early church and for believers today. It asserts that those who are genuinely "of God" will recognize and receive the truth proclaimed by God's authentic messengers, while those not aligned with God will reject it. This reception or rejection of the apostolic message, rooted in the revelation of Jesus Christ, ultimately distinguishes the "spirit of truth" from the "spirit of error," providing a clear test for identifying the source and nature of any spiritual teaching.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Antithesis is central, starkly contrasting "We are of God" with "he that is not of God," and "heareth us" with "heareth not us." This creates a clear binary, emphasizing the absolute distinction between divine truth and spiritual deception. Metonymy is present in the phrase "spirit of truth" and "spirit of error," where "spirit" stands for the source or guiding principle behind a teaching or worldview. The "spirit of truth" refers to the Holy Spirit and His influence, while the "spirit of error" refers to a deceptive spiritual force. The use of assertion ("We are of God") lends authority and weight to the apostolic claim, establishing their message as the standard. Finally, the verse functions as a litmus test, providing a practical, observable criterion (reception of apostolic teaching) to determine an invisible spiritual reality (the source of a spirit).
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of spiritual authority, discernment, and the nature of truth. It underscores that true knowledge of God is not merely intellectual but relational, enabling a spiritual sensitivity that recognizes divine truth. The apostolic message, rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ, serves as the unchanging standard against which all other spiritual claims must be measured. This implies that theological truth is not subjective but objective, revealed by God and entrusted to His messengers. The ability to discern between truth and error is therefore not a matter of personal preference but a vital spiritual discipline, essential for maintaining doctrinal purity and spiritual health within the community of faith.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an era saturated with information and diverse spiritual claims, 1 John 4:6 remains profoundly relevant, serving as a timeless guide for spiritual discernment. It challenges believers to cultivate a deep, intimate knowledge of God through consistent engagement with His Word, fervent prayer, and active participation in the community of faith. This relational intimacy sharpens our spiritual senses, enabling us to recognize the authentic voice of God amidst a cacophony of competing voices. When evaluating any teaching, sermon, or spiritual claim, we are called to ask: Does this message align with the consistent, revealed truth of Scripture, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ? Does it promote love, righteousness, and obedience to God, or does it lead to division, moral compromise, or a distorted view of God's character? Our spiritual health and the purity of the church depend on our willingness to diligently test the spirits, allowing our reception of truth to reflect our genuine, saving relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to be "of God" or "not of God"?
Answer: To be "of God" (Greek: ek Theou) signifies a fundamental spiritual origin and allegiance. It means one's being, character, and spiritual orientation are derived from God. This implies a saving relationship with Him, a new birth by the Spirit, and a life lived in accordance with His will. Conversely, to be "not of God" means one's spiritual origin and allegiance are not with God; they are alienated from Him, operating under a different spiritual influence, often that of the world or the "spirit of error." This distinction is not about intellectual assent but about a deep, relational, and spiritual reality that determines one's receptivity to divine truth. As John 3:3-7 illustrates, entering God's kingdom requires a spiritual rebirth.
How does "he that knoweth God heareth us" relate to my personal spiritual journey today?
Answer: This statement emphasizes that a genuine, intimate knowledge of God (Greek: ginōskō, an experiential knowing) produces a spiritual sensitivity and receptivity to His truth. For believers today, "us" refers to the apostolic teaching preserved in Scripture. Therefore, if we truly "know God" through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will have a spiritual inclination to hear, understand, and obey the authoritative message of the Bible. Our spiritual ears will be attuned to the voice of God as revealed in His Word, and we will be able to discern it from false teachings. This is a vital indicator of our spiritual health and genuine relationship with the Lord, as Jesus Himself said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First John 4:6 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Christ Himself, who is the embodiment of the "spirit of truth" and the very standard by which all truth and error are measured. The apostles' claim, "We are of God," is validated by their faithful witness to Jesus, the Son of God who came in the flesh (1 John 4:2). Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), making Him the ultimate revelation of God. Therefore, to "know God" in this verse is to know Him through Christ, for "no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27). Those who truly belong to God will recognize and receive the message of Christ, as proclaimed by His apostles, because they recognize Christ's voice and truth. Conversely, those who reject this foundational truth about Jesus demonstrate that they are "not of God," aligning themselves with the "spirit of error" that denies Christ's salvific work and divine nature. The discernment offered in this verse is fundamentally Christological, with Jesus as the touchstone for identifying genuine faith and distinguishing it from all forms of deception.