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href="../1_john/4-14.htm" title="1 John 4:14">◄</a> 1 John 4:15 <a href="../1_john/4-16.htm" title="1 John 4:16">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.</div><div id="jump">Jump to: <a href="/commentaries/alford/1_john/4.htm" title="Henry Alford - Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary">Alford</a> • <a href="/commentaries/barnes/1_john/4.htm" title="Barnes' Notes">Barnes</a> • <a href="/commentaries/bengel/1_john/4.htm" title="Bengel's Gnomen">Bengel</a> • <a href="/commentaries/benson/1_john/4.htm" title="Benson Commentary">Benson</a> • <a href="/commentaries/illustrator/1_john/4.htm" title="Biblical Illustrator">BI</a> • <a href="/commentaries/calvin/1_john/4.htm" title="Calvin's Commentaries">Calvin</a> • <a href="/commentaries/cambridge/1_john/4.htm" title="Cambridge Bible">Cambridge</a> • <a href="/commentaries/clarke/1_john/4.htm" title="Clarke's Commentary">Clarke</a> • <a href="/commentaries/darby/1_john/4.htm" title="Darby's Bible Synopsis">Darby</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_john/4.htm" title="Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers">Ellicott</a> • <a href="/commentaries/expositors/1_john/4.htm" title="Expositor's Bible">Expositor's</a> • <a href="/commentaries/edt/1_john/4.htm" title="Expositor's Dictionary">Exp Dct</a> • <a href="/commentaries/egt/1_john/4.htm" title="Expositor's Greek">Exp Grk</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gaebelein/1_john/4.htm" title="Gaebelein's Annotated Bible">Gaebelein</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gsb/1_john/4.htm" title="Geneva Study Bible">GSB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gill/1_john/4.htm" title="Gill's Bible Exposition">Gill</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gray/1_john/4.htm" title="Gray's Concise">Gray</a> • <a href="/commentaries/guzik/1_john/4.htm" title="Guzik Bible Commentary">Guzik</a> • <a href="/commentaries/haydock/1_john/4.htm" title="Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary">Haydock</a> • <a href="/commentaries/hastings/1_john/4-8.htm" title="Hastings Great Texts">Hastings</a> • <a href="/commentaries/homiletics/1_john/4.htm" title="Pulpit Homiletics">Homiletics</a> • <a href="/commentaries/icc/1_john/4.htm" title="ICC NT Commentary">ICC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/jfb/1_john/4.htm" title="Jamieson-Fausset-Brown">JFB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/kelly/1_john/4.htm" title="Kelly Commentary">Kelly</a> • <a href="/commentaries/king-en/1_john/4.htm" title="Kingcomments Bible Studies">King</a> • <a href="/commentaries/lange/1_john/4.htm" title="Lange Commentary">Lange</a> • <a href="/commentaries/maclaren/1_john/4.htm" title="MacLaren Expositions">MacLaren</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhc/1_john/4.htm" title="Matthew Henry Concise">MHC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhcw/1_john/4.htm" title="Matthew Henry Full">MHCW</a> • <a href="/commentaries/meyer/1_john/4.htm" title="Meyer Commentary">Meyer</a> • <a href="/commentaries/parker/1_john/4.htm" title="The People's Bible by Joseph Parker">Parker</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pnt/1_john/4.htm" title="People's New Testament">PNT</a> • <a href="/commentaries/poole/1_john/4.htm" title="Matthew Poole">Poole</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/4.htm" title="Pulpit Commentary">Pulpit</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sermon/1_john/4.htm" title="Sermon Bible">Sermon</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sco/1_john/4.htm" title="Scofield Reference Notes">SCO</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ttb/1_john/4.htm" title="Through The Bible">TTB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/vws/1_john/4.htm" title="Vincent's Word Studies">VWS</a> • <a href="/commentaries/wes/1_john/4.htm" title="Wesley's Notes">WES</a> • <a href="#tsk" title="Treasury of Scripture Knowledge">TSK</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="comtype">EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/benson/1_john/4.htm">Benson Commentary</a></div><span class="bld"><a href="/context/1_john/4-15.htm" title="Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God....">1 John 4:15-17</a></span>. <span class="ital">Whosoever shall </span>— From a principle of loving faith, openly <span class="ital">confess </span>— In the face of all opposition and danger, maintaining this profession with resolution and zeal, and acting in conformity to it; <span class="ital">that Jesus is the Son of God </span>— The Christ, the Saviour of the world; <span class="ital">God abideth in him, and he in God </span>— There is a blessed union between God and his soul, so that it is, in the language of Scripture, the habitation of God; who, as it were, lives and walks in him, <a href="/ephesians/2-22.htm" title="In whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.">Ephesians 2:22</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm" title="Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?">1 Corinthians 3:16</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/6-18.htm" title="And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty.">2 Corinthians 6:18</a>. <span class="ital">And we have known and believed</span> — By the influence of the same Spirit; <span class="ital">the love that God hath to us </span>— And hath manifested, not only by giving his Son to die for us, (<a href="/context/1_john/4-9.htm" title="In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him....">1 John 4:9-10</a>,) but by making us his children in and through his Son, <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm" title="Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.">1 John 3:1</a>. <span class="ital">God is love </span>— The apostle repeats what he had declared <a href="/1_john/4-8.htm" title="He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.">1 John 4:8</a>, where see the note; <span class="ital">and he that abideth in love </span>— Namely, in love to God, his people, and all mankind; <span class="ital">abideth in God, and God in him </span>— His union and communion with God are hereby continued and increased. <span class="ital">Herein </span>— Or <span class="ital">hereby, </span>that is, by the continuance of this communion with God; <span class="ital">is our love made perfect </span>— We are brought to love him with all our hearts, and our neighbour as ourselves; <span class="ital">that we may have </span>— That is, so that we shall have; <span class="ital">boldness in the day of judgment </span>— When all the stout-hearted shall tremble; <span class="ital">because as he, </span>Christ, <span class="ital">is, so are we </span>— Who are fathers in Christ; <span class="ital">in this world </span>— Even while we live on earth, so far as the imperfections of this mortal life, to which we are here confined, will admit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="mhc" id="mhc"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/mhc/1_john/4.htm">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary</a></div>4:14-21 The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession includes faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldness before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate! Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him, 2Ti 2:12. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard and veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principle of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labours from dread of a master's anger. They are like that of a dutiful child, who does services to a beloved father, which benefit his brethren, and are done willingly. It is a sign that our love is far from perfect, when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. Let heaven and earth stand amazed at his love. He sent his word to invite sinners to partake of this great salvation. Let them take the comfort of the happy change wrought in them, while they give him the glory. The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion. This must be tried by its effects on their temper, and their conduct to their brethren. If a man professes to love God, and yet indulges anger or revenge, or shows a selfish disposition, he gives his profession the lie. But if it is plain that our natural enmity is changed into affection and gratitude, let us bless the name of our God for this seal and earnest of eternal happiness. Then we differ from the false professors, who pretend to love God, whom they have not seen, yet hate their brethren, whom they have seen.<a name="bar" id="bar"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/barnes/1_john/4.htm">Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a></div>Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God - In the true sense, and from the heart. This will always prove that a man is a Christian. But the passage cannot mean that if he merely says so in words, or if he does it insincerely, or without any proper sense of the truth, it will prove that he is a Christian. On the meaning of the sentiment here expressed, see the notes at <a href="/1_john/4-2.htm">1 John 4:2</a>. Compare the notes at <a href="/romans/10-10.htm">Romans 10:10</a>. <a name="jfb" id="jfb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/jfb/1_john/4.htm">Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary</a></div>15. shall confess—once for all: so the Greek aorist means.<p>that Jesus is the Son of God—and therefore "the Saviour of the world" (1Jo 4:14).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/poole/1_john/4.htm">Matthew Poole's Commentary</a></div> This discourse is most studiously and observably interwoven, of these two great things, mentioned <span class="bld"><a href="/1_john/3-23.htm" title="And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.">1Jo 3:23</a></span>, faith in the Messiah, and the love of one another, as being the principal antidotes against the poisonous insinuations of the apostates. Of confessing: <span class="bld">See Poole on "<a href="/1_john/4-2.htm" title="Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:">1Jo 4:2</a>"</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="gil" id="gil"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gill/1_john/4.htm">Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a></div>Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God,.... The only begotten of the Father; that he is not a mere man, as the Jews, and Ebion and Cerinthus said, but a divine person, equal with the Father; which contains all that relates to the dignity of his person, and his fitness for his office as a Saviour, and which was the test of faith in those times, and the grand article of belief: not that a bare assent to this had what followed annexed to it; for the devils believed and owned that Jesus was the Son of God; and so might, and did, unregenerate persons, as the centurion at the cross of Christ, who know nothing what communion with God is; but this confession is such as is attended with a believing in Christ from the heart unto righteousness, life, and salvation, and a cheerful obedience to his ordinances and commands, from a principle of love to him, and faith in him, things not to be found in devils and carnal men; see <a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9</a>. <p>God dwelleth in him, and he in God; See Gill on <a href="/1_john/4-13.htm">1 John 4:13</a>; this should encourage to an open and hearty confession of Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour of sinners, and to a public profession of his name, and faith in him, and an holding it fast without wavering. <a name="gsb" id="gsb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gsb/1_john/4.htm">Geneva Study Bible</a></div><span class="cverse2">Whosoever shall <span class="cverse3">{h}</span> confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.</span><p>(h) With such a confession as comes from true faith, and is accompanied with love, so that there is an agreement of all things.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="comtype">EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/egt/1_john/4.htm">Expositor's Greek Testament</a></div><a href="/1_john/4-15.htm" title="Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.">1 John 4:15</a>. <span class="greekheb">ὁμολογήσῃ</span>, aor. of a definite confession born of persuasion. Such a conviction implies fellowship with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/cambridge/1_john/4.htm">Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges</a></div><span class="bld">15</span>. <span class="ital">Whosoever shall confess</span>] This was what the false prophets refused to do: see on <span class="ital"><a href="/context/1_john/4-2.htm" title="Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:...">1 John 4:2-3</a></span> : also on <a href="/1_john/5-1.htm" title="Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him.">1 John 5:1</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">dwelleth in him</span>] Better, <span class="bld">abideth</span> <span class="ital">in him</span>: see on <a href="/1_john/2-24.htm" title="Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.">1 John 2:24</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">and he in God</span>] The communion is of the closest description: comp. <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm" title="And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he stays in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.">1 John 3:24</a>; <a href="/john/6-56.htm" title="He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.">John 6:56</a>; <a href="/john/14-20.htm" title="At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.">John 14:20</a>; <a href="/john/15-5.htm" title="I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.">John 15:5</a>. Even Apostles, who have beheld and borne witness, can have no more than this Divine fellowship, which is open to every believer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/bengel/1_john/4.htm">Bengel's Gnomen</a></div><a href="/1_john/4-15.htm" title="Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.">1 John 4:15</a>. <span class="greekheb">Ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ</span>, <span class="ital">the Son of God</span>) and therefore the <span class="ital">Saviour of the world</span>, <a href="/1_john/4-14.htm" title="And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.">1 John 4:14</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="pul" id="pul"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Whosoever confesseth</span> <span class="greek">ο{ς α}ν ὁμολογήση</span>. This rendering seems preferable to "whosoever <span class="accented">shall</span> confess" or "shall <span class="accented">have</span> confessed." The exact meaning is, "Whosoever has once for all taken up the position of confessing." Verse 14 gave the case of the apostles; this gives that of those who accept their witness. In the next verse we have that of both together. 1 John 4:15<a name="vws" id="vws"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/vws/1_john/4.htm">Vincent's Word Studies</a></div>Whosoever (ὀς ἐὰν)<p>Lit., who if there be any.<p>Shall confess<p>See on <a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a>.<p>Son of God<p>See on <a href="/1_john/1-7.htm">1 John 1:7</a>. <div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/interlinear/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 Interlinear</a><br /><a href="/texts/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 Parallel Texts</a><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/niv/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://bibleapps.com/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 Bible Apps</a><br /><a href="/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 Parallel</a><br /><a href="http://bibliaparalela.com/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="http://holybible.com.cn/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="http://saintebible.com/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="http://bibeltext.com/1_john/4-15.htm">1 John 4:15 German Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a><br /></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td align="center"><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><br /> </div> <div id="left"><a href="../1_john/4-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 4:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 4:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../1_john/4-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 4:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 4:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>