1 John 4
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God," for every spirit that "confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God," and "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." "God is love": he "sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him," and "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear," and "We love him, because he first loved us," so whoever loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:11 John 4:21 John 4:41 John 4:81 John 4:91 John 4:111 John 4:181 John 4:191 John 4:21
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The writer, his "little children" and "beloved," and the "many false prophets" who "are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:11 John 4:41 John 4:71 John overview
Where
The letter does not name its writer or its place. Early tradition places John at Ephesus in his later years and links the letter with the churches of the province of Asia. 1 John overview
When
Traditionally about AD 85-95, late in the apostle John's life. Many scholars date it about AD 90-110 and credit it to a leader in the circle linked with John's Gospel; others hold that John wrote it. 1 John overview
How it fits
Chapter 3 ended, "hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us"; this chapter teaches how to test the spirits. Chapter 5 begins, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1 John 3:241 John 4:11 John 4:131 John 5:1
Key verses
- Verse 2
"Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God," and every spirit that does not "is not of God." 1 John 4:11 John 4:21 John 4:3
- Verse 9
"God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son." 1 John 4:81 John 4:91 John 4:10John 3:16
- Verse 20
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" 1 John 4:201 John 4:21
Takeaway
Test teaching by what it says about Jesus Christ come in the flesh, and let God's love for you be the root of your love for others. 1 John 4:21 John 4:111 John 4:191 John 4:21
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-30.
Try the spirits
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6We 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.
God is love
7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In 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. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Perfect love casts out fear
13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19We love him, because he first loved us. 20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.