1 John 4 (BHT-ATN)

“You Must Not Believe Just Any and Every Spirit”

1 Dear friends, you must not believe just any and every spirit, but must test the spirits, to discern whether God is the one from whose presence they are sent,+ in view of the fact that so many have gone out into the world who are false prophets. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: If a spirit acknowledges that it is “as a real man with a mortal nature”+ that Jesus the Messiah has come,+ then God is in fact the one from whom it comes. 3 Any spirit that refuses to affirm this about Jesus, however, is most certainly not from God. Indeed, such a spirit is representative of the spirit that will anoint that imposter who will oppose the true Messiah,+ the spirit+ that you were taught+ is going to come,+ and at the present time is already right here in the world. 4 As for you, it is God, my dear children, to whom you belong; you remain victorious over them, so much more powerful as he is who lives in you than the one who is in the world. 5 As for them, it is the world to which they belong. That is why they speak words of worldly origin,+ and why the world gives them its ear and full attention. 6 As for us, it is God to whom we belong. If someone knows God, he give his ear to us; if someone isn’t of God, he doesn’t listen to us. That is how we discern the Spirit of truth from the spirit of deception.

“Let Us Continually Love One Another”

7 Dear friends, let us continually love one another, because love comes from God; anyone who loves has by God’s power+ been newly conceived, and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God displayed his love to us:+ He sent into the world his matchless + Son , so that we would experience life through him. 10 This is what love is: Not that we have loved and chosen+ God, but that he loved and chose us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice that calms God’s wrath against us and removes the guilt of our sins.+ 11 If God showed such great love as this to us, we, too, must show love, dear friends, to one another. 12 God no one has seen at any time. If we are showing love to one another, however, God is through his union with us imparting life in fellowship,+ and his love has inside of us been made blameless.+ 13 This is how we know that it is God+ in union with whom we are dwelling in fellowship,+ and he in union with us: It is his very own Spirit of which he has given us a share. 14 And we, as firsthand witnesses, solemnly declare+ that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world. 15 If someone professes that Jesus is the Son of God, then God is dwelling in union with him,+ and he in union with God. 16 And so as for us, we have come to know and rely on the love that God has placed within us.+ God is love; if someone continues in love, it is God in union with whom he continues in fellowship,+ and God in union with him. 17 This is how love has and continues to be made blameless+ within+ us, so that we may have at the Day of judgment great courage and confidence. For just as Jesus+ himself is, so are we, too, as we live our lives in this rebellious world.+ 18 Where there is love there is no reason+ to be afraid; indeed, love that is blameless drives fear away. Fear, after all, anticipates what? Punishment.+ If someone fears punishment, he still hasn’t been made blameless in love. 19 We love because he loved us first. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. Anyone who refuses to show love to his brother or sister,+ you see, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 Indeed, this is the commandment that we have received from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister.

+1:1Or That which was from the outset, or That which was from the beginning. Lit That which was from eternity. For a summary of the interpretation of ἀρχή ( archē) represented in the text, see NAC (1, 2, 3 Jn), 51-2. Cf also TDNT, 1:481; NCV.+1:1Lit That which was from eternity/the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we saw and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life. ME (see ESS [1, 2, 3 Jn], 11; NAC [1, 2, 3 Jn], 51; UBSHS [1 Jn], 11; TDNT, 1:481). Cf NET, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TEV. The neuter gender is used in the relative clauses here, but the primary focus is the Word, ie, Christ himself. For other examples of the neuter being used for personal referents in John’s writings, see translation and notes at Jn 4:22, 6:37, and 17:10.+1:2Or it. The direct object is implied here from the context.+1:2Unless otherwise marked (through superscript—ˢyou), all second person pronouns are the in the second person plural.+1:2Lit and we testify and announce/bring news.+1:2Since Jesus/the Word is the one being referred to here, “life” here is metonymical for the source of life (cf translation and notes at Jn 1:4 and 5:26), referring to “what causes people to live eternally” ( UBSHS [1 Jn], 15). Cf NCV, NLT, and TEV here and at Jn 1:4 and 5:26.+1:2This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+1:3Lit have. ME (see note at Jn 3:15).+1:3Lit may have fellowship with us. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 17; translation and note at Jn 3:15). Cf TEV.+1:3Lit And the fellowship that is ours. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 17). Cf TEV.+1:4Lit so that our joy may be made complete. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 15:11). ἡμῶν ( hēmōn) here is interpreted as an inclusive first person plural. This is reflected in the translation.+1:5Or heard. Cf BSL, 1 Jn 1:5, sv ἀκούω; L-N, 33.212.+1:6Lit not doing the truth. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 3:21).+1:7Or from all sin, or from every kind of sin.+1:8Lit If we say that we do not have sin. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 9:41 and 15:22-24).+1:8Cf Jn 3:16-21 and 9:35-41.+1:9Or trustworthy, or reliable.+1:9Lit and righteous/upright/just. ME(OTB) (see translation and notes at Mt 5:48; UBSHS [1 Jn], 31; v 2:12 below). Cf Ex 34:6-7.+1:9Or from all wickedness. Cf Rm 1; Ga 5:16-26; Eph 4:17-24; Col 3:5-8.+1:10Lit we have not sinned. The perfect tense is used here, and therefore “guilty of sin” has been used in translation to signal the ongoing effects at the time of the speaker. Cf HCSB.+1:10Lit him.+1:10Cf Jn 5:38, 15:7; Col 3:16; 1 Jn 2:14.+2:1Lit an advocate/pleader/encourager/strengthener/one called alongside to help. ME (see note at Jn 14:15). Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV. In this context, the advocate/pleading/appealing role is primarily in view. As v 2 indicates (note ἱλασμός [ hilasmos] there; cf Lk 18:9-14), the appeal is primarily for mercy and forgiveness, though help to resist further sin is also probably implied as well. Cf Jb 33:23-24; Lk 18:9-14; Heb 4:16.+2:2Lit He is the propitiation/expiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for [those] of the whole world. ME(OTB)/IT (see translation and notes at Lk 18:13 and Rm 3:25; NET Bible Notes, 1 Jn 2:2).+2:3Or proof.+2:3Lit By this we know. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 37-8). Cf NEB.+2:3Lit him.+2:3Cf 2 Co 13:5-6.+2:4Lit him. Cf NCV, NLT.+2:4Lit his. Cf NCV, NLT.+2:5Or word, or message.+2:5Or reached its goal, or accomplished its goal, or been brought to completion. See translation and notes at Lk 13:32.+2:5Lit that we are in him. ME (see translation and note at Jn 10:38). Cf CJB, TEV.+2:6Lit that he dwells/remains/continues in him. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+2:6Lit he must, just as that one walked, also himself to walk. ME (see BDAG, 803, sv περιπατέω 2; L-N, 41.11, 64.14; UBSHS [Jn], 43). Cf CJB, ISV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:6Cf Jn 13:31-35, 15:8; 1 Co 11:1; 1 Th 1:6.+2:7Cf Lv 19:18; Mt 5:17, 22:20; Rm 13:8-10.+2:7Lit which you have. In this context, ἔχω ( echo) means “a sense of obligation in regard to something” ( BDAG, 421, sv 7.a.δ.).+2:7Or word, or message, or teaching. Cf REB in ESS (1, 2, 3 Jn), 50.+2:7Or heard. Cf L-N, 33.12.+2:8Lit which is true in him and in you. ME (see NAC [Jn], 79; Ibid [1, 2, 3 Jn], 96; FSB, 1 Jn 2:7; Robertson, Word Pictures, 1 Jn 2:8; Vincent, Word Studies, 2:331; UBSHS [1 Jn], 45). Cf Mt 5:17; Jn 13.+2:11Lit walks about [here and there]. ME/IT (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 49; the last clause in this verse).+2:12Or for his name’s sake. Cf Ex 34:6-7; Is 48:9-11; Cf Jr 31:31-34; Ml 3:6.+2:13Cf Jr 31:31-34. Maintaining consistency in translation with 1 Jn 1:1 (see translation and notes there).+2:15Lit the world and the things of the world. ME (see BDAG, 562, sv κόσμος 7.b.; UBSHS [1 Jn], 55). Cf NCV at v 16.+2:16According to the UBSHS, “The three following phrases are given not as an exhaustive enumeration but by way of characteristic examples of ‘all that is in the world’” ( UBSHS [1 Jn], 56).+2:16Lit of the flesh. Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” P (see FBT Chart).+2:16Lit the lusts of the eyes. ME(I/F)/IT (see translation and notes at Mt 6:22-23). Cf 1 Co 5:11, 6:10; Eph 5:5.+2:16Cf Ps 73; Jr 9:22; 1 Ti 6:17.+2:17Or is about to pass away. Not out of existence altogether, but in its present form as tainted by evil and decay. Cf Gn 6:13, 9:11; Ps 72:5, 17, 89:36-37, 102:25-28, 148:6; Is 34:4-5, 65:17-25, 66:22; Jr 31:35-36, 33:20-21; 1 Co 7:31; Heb 1:10-12; Jm 1:10; 1 Pt 1:24; 4:7; 2 Pt 2:6, 3:13;1 Jn 2:17; Re 12:7-10, 21:1-4. Cf also 1 Co 2:6.+2:17Lit and. Cf ESV, NCV, NET.+2:18Or have heard. Cf BSL, 1 Jn 2:18, sv ἀκούω; BDAG, 38, sv ἀκούω 3; TEV.+2:18Lit an anti-Messiah. ME (see ANLEX, 59, sv ἀντίχριστος 2; BDAG, 91, sv ἀντίχριστος; BSL, 1 Jn 2:18, sv ἀντίχριστος; UBSHS [1 Jn], 62; Vincent, Word Studies, 2:337). Here, the “against” idea is signaled in translation by “oppose,” while the “in place of” idea is signaled by “imposter” and “true.” Cf Is 10:12, 30:30-33; Ezk 38:17; Dn 7:7-28, 8:23-25; Jl 3; Zc 12-14; Th 2:1-12; Re 13.+2:18Lit many anti-Messiahs. ME (see ANLEX, 59, sv ἀντίχριστος 1).+2:20Or and all of you know the truth. There is no direct object explicitly stated in the Greek text, and therefore it must be inferred from the context. Since this is most likely an allusion to Jr 31:34 (see NET Bible Notes, 1 Jn 2:20), the “Holy One” is most likely the implied direct object here.+2:22Lit Who is the liar, except...? EFE. For the rhetorical effect intended by the question here, see UBSHS (1 Jn), 68.+2:23Lit he does not have the Father. ME. Cf TEV.+2:23Lit he has the Father. ME (see BDAG, 420, sv ἔχω 2.b.; UBSHS [1 Jn], 70).+2:24Or have heard. Cf BSL, 1 Jn 2:24, sv ἀκούω; BDAG, 38, sv ἀκούω 3.+2:24Cf Jn 5:38, 8:31, 15:7; Col 3:16.+2:24Lit will dwell/remain/abide/continue. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4). Cf CJB.+2:25Lit And this is the promise that he has promised. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NRSV, RSV.+2:25This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+2:26Or are trying to deceive.+2:27Lit from him.+2:27Lit and you do not have need that someone should teach you. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 74). Cf Jn 14:15-17, 26.+2:27Or genuine, or reliable.+2:27Given the prevalence of the anti-Messiah (the ones who are “against/in place of the Anointed One”) theme in this chapter, ψεῦδος ( peudos) (lit false) most likely means “counterfeit” here. Cf CJB, NIV; translation and notes at v 18.+2:27Lit dwell/remain/abide/continue in. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+2:27Lit with him. Cf TEV.+2:28Lit dwell/remain/abide/continue in him. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20 and 15:4).+2:28Lit at his coming. The genitive here is subjective, and the Second Coming is meant here. This is reflected in the translation. Cf NET, NLT.+2:29Lit he. Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+2:29Lit you know that also/likewise everyone who is doing the righteousness. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 79).+2:29Lit have been conceived by him, or have been fathered by him. ME (see notes at Jn 1:13, 1 Pt 1:3, and Ga 4:21-30).+3:1Lit and we are. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 81).+3:2Lit he, or it.+3:2Or what we will be has not yet appeared, or …he has not yet appeared. What shall we be?... The same verb was last used in v 2:28 (an aorist passive there as here), with the Messiah as the implied subject (cf NCV, NLT at 1 Jn 2:28). In the original text there were no punctuation marks. If the implied subject here is the Messiah, then “what we shall be” is either a second nominative functioning predicatively (cf, eg, Mt 6:18), or perhaps a rhetorical question. Otherwise, it is the subject of the verb. Cf Rm 8:18-30; Php 3:21; Col 3:4.+3:2Cf Rm 8:16-30; 1 Co 15:23; Php 3:21; Col 3:4.+3:2Or because we will see him as he is.+3:3Lit that one.+3:4Lit he is committing/doing also the lawlessness. ME (see BDAG, 840, sv ποιέω 3.c.; BSL, 1 Jn 3:4, sv ἀνομία; interpretation 2 in ESS [1, 2, 3 Jn], 102; UBSHS [1 Jn], 86-7). The exegesis of de Jonge and Swellengrebel on this verse is very sound (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 86-7), and is reflected in translation here. Cf 1 Jn 2:18-25; 2 Th 2:1-12.+3:4Lit And sin is the lawlessness. ME (see preceding note).+3:5Lit that one.+3:5Cf 1 Jn 1:5.+3:6Lit him.+3:6Lit dwells/remains/abides/continues in him. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+3:6Cf 1 Co 10:13; Ga 5:16-18; Heb 4:14-16.+3:6Lit he has not seen him. ME. In this context, ὁράω ( horaō) means “to experience an event or state” ( L-N, 90.79; cf BSL, 1 Jn 3:6, sv). Here, the thing experienced is the life and power (by which we resist sin) that comes through union with the Messiah (cf, eg, Jn 6:53-56 [note the use of μένω ( menō) in v 56]).+3:7Cf 1 Co 6:9; Eph 5:5-6.+3:7Lit The one who is doing the righteousness. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 79). Maintaining consistency in translation with 2:29 above.+3:7Lit that one.+3:8Lit of/belonging to/has the quality of/produced by the devil. Translating here in a way similar to how I’ve translated at Jn 8:41 and 8:44 (see translation and notes there; see also UBSHS [1 Jn], 90). Cf v 10 below. The preposition used here (ἐκ [ ek]) denotes source and origin, and is the opposite of being conceived/born/produced by God (note ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ [ ek tou theou] in v 9). Cf Jn 8:39-47.+3:8Lit because the devil. Cf NLT.+3:8Lit has been sinning. ME (see translation and note at 3:4 above).+3:9Lit the seed of him. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 90). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+3:9Lit to go on sinning. ME (see translation and notes at 3:4 above).+3:9Lit since he has been conceived/produced by God. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV; translation and note at 2:29 above.+3:9Cf Rm 8:6-8.+3:10Lit This is how the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest. ME. Cf ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV. See also translation and note at 1 Jn 2:3.+3:10Lit Everyone not doing righteousness. Cf Mt 7:16; 1 Jn 3:12, 18.+3:15This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+3:16Lit By this we have come to know love. ME/IT (see ESS [1, 2, 3 Jn], 120; UBSHS [1 Jn], 99). Cf NIV, TEV; Brown et al in ESS (1, 2, 3 Jn), 120.+3:16Lit that one.+3:16IT. Cf NET, TEV; BDAG, 495, sv καί 1.b.ζ.+3:17Lit has the life/livelihood/property of the world. ME (see L-N, 57.18; UBSHS [1 Jn], 100).+3:17Lit but closes his entrails/inward parts from him. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 25.55).+3:18Lit in word or in tongue. ME (see L-N, 33.74; UBSHS [1 Jn], 102). Cf CJB, ESV, HCSB, NCV, NRSV, RSV, TEV.+3:19Lit of him.+3:19Or hearts. Cf HCSB, UBSHS (1 Jn), 104.+3:20Lit our hearts/consciences.+3:20Lit our hearts/consciences.+3:20Lit is greater than our hearts/consciences. ME (see ESS [1, 2, 3 Jn], 129; UBSHS [1 Jn], 105). Cf 1 Jn 1:8-10, 2:1-2, 12-14.+3:21Or hearts.+3:23Lit he. Translating the genitive subjectively here. Cf NCV.+3:23Lit just as he gave commandment to us. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 108). Cf NET.+3:23Cf Jn 13.+3:24Lit his.+3:24Lit he dwells/remains/abides/continues in him. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4). Cf TEV.+3:24Lit he.+3:24Lit dwells/remains/abides/continues in us. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+4:1Lit that they are from God. Cf 1 Ki 22:22-23; 1 Co 12:10; 2 Co 11:4; 2 Th 2:2.+4:2According to the UBSHS, “the use of the participle characterizes the utterance as a fixed formula” ( UBSHS [Jn], 115). Hence, quotation marks have been used in translation here. Cf 1 Ti 3:16.+4:2Lit Every spirit that acknowledges Jesus the Messiah as having come in flesh. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 1:14, Rm 8:3, Php 2:6-8, and 1 Ti 3:16; FBT Chart, C, F, G, I, M, N; UBSHS [Jn], 21; UBSHS [1 Jn], 115). Cf 1 Ti 3:16.+4:3Lit This is the spirit of the anti-Messiah. ME (see translation and notes at 1 Jn 2:18, 3:4; ANLEX, 59, sv ἀντίχριστος; BSL, 1 Jn 4:3, sv ἀντίχριστος; L-N, 58.68). Cf 2 Th 2, Re 13.+4:3Lit which. The antecedent has been restated in translation for clarity.+4:3Or that you have heard. Cf BSL, 1 Jn 4:3, sv ἀκούω; BDAG, 38, sv ἀκούω 3.+4:3Cf Re 11:7, 13:1-18, 17:6-11.+4:5Lit they speak from the world. To speak “from the world” means that the things spoken have their source in the world, rather than God. Cf 4:1-3 above.+4:7Lit by him.+4:9Lit By this the love of God was displayed among us. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, and TEV.+4:9Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. See translation and note at Jn 1:14.+4:10ME(OTB)/IT (see translation and notes at Jn 17:23, Rm 9:13, and Ga 4:9; NET Bible Notes at Ml 1:2-3).+4:10Lit as the propitiation/expiation for our sins. ME(OTB)/IT (see translation and notes at Lk 18:13, Rm 3:25, and 1 Jn 2:2; NET Bible Notes, 1 Jn 2:2).+4:12Lit dwells/remains/continues in us. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+4:12Or reached/accomplished its goal, or been brought to completion. See translation and notes at Lk 13:32.+4:13Lit him.+4:13Lit that we dwell/remain/continue in him. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+4:14Lit And we have seen and testify.+4:15Lit dwells/remains/continues in him. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+4:16Or on the love that God has for us.+4:16Lit he dwells/remains/continues in God. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 6:56, 10:38, 14:10, 14:20, and 15:4).+4:17Or reached/accomplished its goal, or been brought to completion. See translation and notes at Lk 13:32.+4:17Or with, or among.+4:17Lit that one.+4:17Cf 1 Jn 2:6, 2:29, 3:3.+4:18The context (coming before God at the Day of Judgment) indicates “fear” here is meant to be understood in terms of a source of fear (cf L-N, 25.254). If God’s own love is present in someone’s life, he is obviously isn’t going to rebuke anyone for that, and therefore those who lived their lives according to the way of love have nothing to be afraid of (cf Mt 7:21).+4:18Or For fear involves punishment. Lit because fear has/holds punishment. ME (see UBSHS [1 Jn], 129). Cf Mt 7:21; Re 2-3.+4:20Cf 1 Jn 3:17.