Devine Scripture

1 John 4:5

What does 1 John 4:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 4:5 means

False teachers are “of the world,” sharing its values and outlook. Therefore they speak in a way that resonates with the world’s desires and assumptions, and they find a ready hearing. Popularity, therefore, is no proof of truth; worldly acclaim often signals a worldly message. This explains why error can spread quickly: it flatters human pride, avoids the scandal of the true Christ, and fits the cultural air. John helps believers not to be unsettled by the success of falsehood. Genuine Christianity may not receive the world’s applause because it confronts sin and exalts Jesus as Lord in flesh, crucified and risen.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

They are of the world, so their talk is the world's talk, and the world gives ear to them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

They--of the world they are; because of this from the world they speak, and the world doth hear them;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

They are of the world. Therefore of the world they speak: and the world heareth them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

They are of the world; for this reason they speak [as] of the world, and the world hears them.

Context

Having reassured the believers of God’s greater power (v. 4), John contrasts sources and audiences. Verse 5 explains the dynamics of deception: worldly teachers speak a language the world loves. This diagnosis prepares for verse 6, where John identifies the apostolic message and its hearers. The point is to show two incompatible ecosystems—worldly speech and audience versus God’s people and the apostolic word—enabling readers to locate themselves rightly.

v.4Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

v.5This passage

v.6We 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 17:4

    As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.

  • Luke 16:8

    And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.

  • 2 Peter 2:2

    And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of.

  • John 17:14

    I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

  • John 15:19

    If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

  • Micah 2:11

    If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

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