Devine Scripture

1 John 4:6

What does 1 John 4:6 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 4:6 means

John speaks with apostolic confidence: “We are of God.” Those who truly know God respond to the apostolic message; those not of God refuse it. Reception of the apostles’ teaching is a spiritual indicator, not mere preference. Here is another test: the Spirit of truth leads people to embrace the apostolic gospel; the spirit of error resists it. This underscores the church’s need to remain anchored in Scripture and the witness of those Christ appointed. Agreement with the apostles is not narrowness but fidelity to God’s revelation. By this alignment, believers can distinguish truth from error amid many voices claiming authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

We are of God: he who has the knowledge of God gives ear to us; he who is not of God does not give ear to us. By this we may see which is the true spirit, and which is the spirit of error.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

we--of God we are; he who is knowing God doth hear us; he who is not of God, doth not hear us; from this we know the spirit of the truth, and the spirit of the error.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

We are of God. He that knoweth God heareth us. He that is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

We are ofGod; he that knowsGod hears us; he who is not ofGod does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Context

Verses 5–6 complete the discernment section by contrasting audiences and authorities. After noting the world’s reception of false teachers (v. 5), John points to apostolic teaching as the touchstone of truth. This closes the first movement (vv. 1–6) that began with testing spirits and now provides a communal standard. With the boundary of truth marked out, John transitions in verse 7 to the second major theme: love as the essential fruit and assurance of knowing God.

v.5They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.

v.6This passage

v.7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • 2 Peter 3:2

    that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:

  • Jude 1:17

    But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Romans 1:1

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, calledto bean apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

  • John 13:20

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

  • John 8:45

    But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.

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