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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 John 4:6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/4-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/62_1Jn_04_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 John 4:6 - Testing the Spirits" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_john/4-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_john/4-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_john/">1 John</a> > <a href="/1_john/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_john/4-5.htm" title="1 John 4:5">◄</a> 1 John 4:6 <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm" title="1 John 4:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_john/4.htm">New International Version</a> We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. <a href="/nlt/1_john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception. <a href="/esv/1_john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> We are of God. The one knowing God listens to us. He who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. <a href="/kjv/1_john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/nasb_/1_john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> We are from God. The one who knows God listens to us; the one who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/nasb/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/nasb77/1_john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/lsb/1_john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> We are from God. The one who knows God hears us; the one who is not from God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/amp/1_john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> We [who teach God’s word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan]. <a href="/csb/1_john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/hcsb/1_john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/asv/1_john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/1_john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We belong to God, and everyone who knows God will listen to us. But the people who don't know God won't listen to us. This is how we can tell the Spirit that speaks the truth from the one that tells lies. <a href="/erv/1_john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/1_john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> We belong to God. The person who knows God listens to us. Whoever doesn't belong to God doesn't listen to us. That's how we can tell the Spirit of truth from the spirit of lies. <a href="/gnt/1_john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> But we belong to God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This, then, is how we can tell the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/isv/1_john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> We belong to God. The person who knows God listens to us. Whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. <a href="/msb/1_john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/net/1_john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. <a href="/nheb/1_john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. <a href="/wbt/1_john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> We are of God. He that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The man who is beginning to know God listens to us, but he who is not a child of God does not listen to us. By this test we can distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. <a href="/web/1_john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> we are of God; he who is knowing God hears us; he who is not of God, does not hear us; from this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/blb/1_john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> We are of God. The one knowing God listens to us. He who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. <a href="/ylt/1_john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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. <a href="/slt/1_john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> We are of God: he knowing God hears us; he is not of God who hears us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/1_john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> We are of God. Whoever knows God, listens to us. Whoever is not of God, does not listen to us. In this way, we know the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. <a href="/nabre/1_john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. <a href="/nrsvce/1_john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But we are of God: he who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But we are from God and he who knows God listens to us and he who is not from God does not listen to us; by this we perceive The Spirit of Truth and the spirit of deception.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> We are of God: he that knows God, hears us: he that is not of God, does not hear us: by this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.<CM> <a href="/godbey/1_john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> We are of God: the one knowing God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. <a href="/haweis/1_john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> 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 delusion.<CM> <a href="/mace/1_john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> we are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us, by this we distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of imposture. <a href="/wey/1_john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The man who is beginning to know God listens to us, but he who is not a child of God does not listen to us. By this test we can distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. <a href="/worrell/1_john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> We are of God; he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears us not: from this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. <a href="/worsley/1_john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> We are of God: he, that knoweth God, heareth us; but he, who is not of God, heareth not us. By this we know the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. <a href="/parallel/1_john/4-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlZ5ywDtQGE?start=727" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_john/4.htm">Testing the Spirits</a> …5They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them. 6<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmeis (PPro-N1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">We</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esmen (V-PIA-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God.</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">Whoever</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">knows</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouei (V-PIA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">listens to</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us;</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whoever</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouei (V-PIA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">does not listen to</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us.</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">That is how</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GNS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskomen (V-PIA-1P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">we know</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheias (N-GFS) -- From alethes; truth.">of truth</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">spirit</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4106.htm" title="4106: planēs (N-GFS) -- Feminine of planos; objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety.">of deception.</a> 7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/8-47.htm">John 8:47</a> Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” <a href="/john/10-27.htm">John 10:27</a> My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">1 Corinthians 2:12-14</a> We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. / And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. / The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a> the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a> However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. <a href="/1_john/2-20.htm">1 John 2:20-21</a> You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. / I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth. <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">1 John 3:24</a> Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. <a href="/1_john/5-6.htm">1 John 5:6</a> This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-8.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:8</a> Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit. <a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9</a> You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a> For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ... <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. <a href="/ezekiel/13-2.htm">Ezekiel 13:2-3</a> “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.We are.<a href="/1_john/4-4.htm">1 John 4:4</a> Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.<a href="/micah/3-8.htm">Micah 3:8</a> But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.<a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a> Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,he that knoweth.<a href="/1_john/4-8.htm">1 John 4:8</a> He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.<a href="/luke/10-22.htm">Luke 10:22</a> All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.<a href="/john/8-19.htm">John 8:19,45-50</a> Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also… Hereby.<a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.<a href="/isaiah/8-20.htm">Isaiah 8:20</a> To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.the spirit of truth.<a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a> Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.<a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26</a> But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:and.<a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a> For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.<a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12</a> My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.<a href="/micah/2-11.htm">Micah 2:11</a> If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/3-11.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">Distinguish</a> <a href="/1_john/4-5.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_john/2-10.htm">Error</a> <a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/1_john/4-5.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/1_john/4-5.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/1_john/4-5.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/1_john/4-5.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/1_john/4-2.htm">Hereby</a> <a href="/james/1-23.htm">Listens</a> <a href="/1_john/4-2.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/1_john/4-3.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_john/4-2.htm">Test</a> <a href="/1_john/3-19.htm">Truth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/exodus/9-4.htm">Distinguish</a> <a href="/1_john/5-15.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Error</a> <a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/1_john/4-18.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/1_john/4-13.htm">Hereby</a> <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">Listens</a> <a href="/genesis/27-23.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/1_john/4-13.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/revelation/2-10.htm">Test</a> <a href="/1_john/5-6.htm">Truth</a><div class="vheading2">1 John 4</div>1. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;</a> 7. <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">and exhorts to brotherly love.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>We are from God. This phrase emphasizes the apostolic authority and divine origin of the message being delivered. The apostles, including John, were chosen by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel. This echoes Jesus' words in <a href="/john/15-19.htm">John 15:19</a>, where He distinguishes His followers from the world. The phrase also reflects the concept of spiritual rebirth found in <a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3-8</a>, where believers are born of God and thus belong to Him.Whoever knows God listens to us; This statement underscores the relationship between knowing God and accepting apostolic teaching. In the cultural context of the early church, the apostles were the primary source of Christian doctrine. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/10-27.htm">John 10:27</a>, where He describes His sheep as those who hear His voice. The phrase implies that true knowledge of God results in a willingness to accept and adhere to the teachings of His appointed messengers.whoever is not from God does not listen to us. Here, a clear distinction is made between those who belong to God and those who do not. This reflects the spiritual discernment necessary to recognize true teaching. In <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a>, Paul explains that the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God. This phrase also serves as a warning against false teachers and prophets, a prevalent issue in the early church, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/2.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a>.That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. This concluding phrase provides a criterion for discerning truth from falsehood. The "Spirit of truth" refers to the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth, as promised by Jesus in <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>. The "spirit of deception" represents false teachings and the influence of the antichrist, as mentioned earlier in 1 <a href="/john/4-3.htm">John 4:3</a>. This dichotomy is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the ongoing spiritual battle between truth and error, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a> The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The community of believers to whom John was writing, facing challenges from false teachings and needing discernment. 3. <a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a> Individuals spreading incorrect doctrines, against whom John warns the believers. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit_of_truth.htm">The Spirit of Truth</a> Refers to the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit_of_falsehood.htm">The Spirit of Falsehood</a> Represents the deceptive influences and teachings contrary to the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_doctrine.htm">Discernment in Doctrine</a> Believers must exercise discernment to distinguish between true and false teachings. This requires a deep understanding of Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/l/listening_to_god's_voice.htm">Listening to God’s Voice</a> True believers are characterized by their willingness to listen to and obey God's word. This involves a heart posture of humility and openness to divine guidance. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping believers recognize truth. Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual discernment. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> Being part of a faith community provides support and accountability in discerning truth. Engaging with other believers helps in testing and affirming teachings. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_deception.htm">Guarding Against Deception</a> Christians must be vigilant against deception by staying rooted in Scripture and prayer. Regular study and meditation on God's word fortify believers against falsehood.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 John 4</a> <a href="/q/is_god's_form_physical.htm">Is God's form physical?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_god_look_like.htm">What does God look like?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_live_in_truth_and_love_with_god.htm">How can we live in truth and love through God?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_most_serious_sin.htm">What is the most serious sin?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - The opposite case stated again, but not in the same form as in verse 4. The "we" here is not the same as the "ye" there, with the mere addition of the writer. "We" here seems to mean the apostles. If it is considered "broad enough to include all who have truly received Christ by faith," it leaves no one to be the hearers. "He that knoweth God heareth us" will mean that we hear ourselves, if "us" means all believers. But St. John's meaning seems rather to be that he who acquires knowledge ὁ γινώσκων of God is ready to listen to further apostolic instruction. From this ἐκ τούτου need not be confined to verse 6; it may apply to the whole passage. For the Spirit of truth, comp. <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a>; <a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26</a>; <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>. <a href="/commentaries/1_john/4-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>We ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. are ἐσμεν (esmen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. God. Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Whoever ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. knows γινώσκων (ginōskōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. God Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. listens to ἀκούει (akouei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. us; ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. whoever ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. is ἔστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. does not listen to ἀκούει (akouei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. us. ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. That is how ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. we know γινώσκομεν (ginōskomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit πνεῦμα (pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. of truth ἀληθείας (alētheias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> From alethes; truth. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. spirit πνεῦμα (pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. of deception. πλάνης (planēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4106.htm">Strong's 4106: </a> Feminine of planos; objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_john/4-6.htm">NT Letters: 1 John 4:6 We are of God (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_john/4-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 John 4:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 John 4:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 John 4:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 John 4:7" /></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>