Showing “1 John 4:1” across 4 translations, plus the original language. Read the whole chapter →
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Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
4:1-6 Those who belong to God (4:4) can distinguish spiritual truth from error, because the Spirit’s presence (3:23-24) teaches them (see 2:20, 27; John 14:15-26; 16:5-15). Yet John provides concrete tests for the believers to apply so that there will be no confusion. These tests are a starting point for true teachers, not an exhaustive set; they were designed to address the false teachings that were being promoted in the churches of John’s readers. 4:1 everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit (literally every spirit): The teachers who left John’s churches claimed to be prophets, but the true prophet is an instrument for the Holy Spirit’s messages (Acts 4:25; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 19:10). Every speaker should be tested against what the Holy Spirit has said through the apostles (1 Jn 4:2-3, 6).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.
Beloved, every spirit believe not, but prove the spirits, if of God they are, because many false prophets have gone forth to the world;
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
αγαπητοι μη παντι πνευματι πιστευετε αλλα δοκιμαζετε τα πνευματα ει εκ του θεου εστιν οτι πολλοι ψευδοπροφηται εξεληλυθασιν εις τον κοσμον
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.
My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.