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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The apostle John addresses believers, contrasting his teaching with the message of those aligned with the world. He establishes this contrast to provide a practical test for discerning false teaching before moving into an exhortation to love.

The words — The phrase ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐσμεν (ek tou theou esmen) literally means "we are of God," while ὁ γινώσκων τὸν θεόν (ho ginōskōn ton theon) translates to "the one knowing God." These terms anchor the verse's claim that spiritual origin determines spiritual receptivity.

The thread — This pattern of discernment through listening appears in John 10:27, where sheep recognize the shepherd's voice, and John 14:17, where the world cannot receive the Spirit of truth. Paul echoes the distinction in 1 Corinthians 2:12 by contrasting the spirit of the world with the Spirit from God.

Why it lands — The text demands that readers test teachings against apostolic witness rather than personal preference or worldly appeal. It requires immediate discernment between the Spirit of truth and deception based on whether a message aligns with God's revealed character.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

John 14:17 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.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
1 Corinthians 2:12 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.
John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
John 8:45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
1 John 4:4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,