1 John 4:3
What does 1 John 4:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 4:3 means
The negative test is clear: any spirit that will not confess Jesus is not from God. Such refusal reveals a deeper hostility—it belongs to the spirit of the antichrist. John reminds them they had heard this opposition was coming; indeed, it is already active in the world. Error is not neutral; it militates against the true Christ and His gospel. This helps believers name what they face: not just different opinions, but spiritual opposition to God’s Son. Recognizing this keeps the church from surprise or despair. Denial of Jesus’ person and work is the signature of deception; truth begins where Jesus is openly confessed as He truly is.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And every spirit which does not say this is not from God: this is the spirit of Antichrist, of which you have had word; and it is in the world even now.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and every spirit that doth not confess Jesus Christ in the flesh having come, of God it is not; and this is that of the antichrist, which ye heard that it doth come, and now in the world it is already.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And every spirit that dissolveth Jesus is not of God. And this is Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he cometh: and he is now already in the world.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and every spirit which does not confess Jesus Christ come in flesh is not ofGod: and this is that [power] of the antichrist, [of] which ye have heard that it comes, and now it is already in the world.
Context
Having stated the positive test (v. 2), John now states the negative, identifying the antichrist spirit behind denial of Jesus. This realistic assessment explains the spread of false prophecy mentioned in verse 1. It also sets the stage for verse 4’s reassurance: though the antichrist spirit is present, believers are not at its mercy. The flow moves from command to criterion to naming the adversary, then to confidence in God’s indwelling power.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3
let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
- 1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.
- 2 John 1:7
For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
- 1 John 2:22
Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son.
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