1 John 4:15
New International Version
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

New Living Translation
All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

English Standard Version
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Berean Standard Bible
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Berean Literal Bible
Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

King James Bible
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

New King James Version
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

New American Standard Bible
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.

NASB 1995
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

NASB 1977
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Amplified Bible
Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Christian Standard Bible
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God.

American Standard Version
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.

Contemporary English Version
God stays one with everyone who openly says Jesus is the Son of God. This is how we stay one with God

English Revised Version
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God lives in those who declare that Jesus is the Son of God, and they live in God.

Good News Translation
If we declare that Jesus is the Son of God, we live in union with God and God lives in union with us.

International Standard Version
God abides in the one who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, and he abides in God.

Majority Standard Bible
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

NET Bible
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Weymouth New Testament
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God--God continues in union with him, and he continues in union with God.

World English Bible
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
whoever may confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God;

Berean Literal Bible
Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Young's Literal Translation
whoever may confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God in him doth remain, and he in God;

Smith's Literal Translation
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

New American Bible
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God.

New Revised Standard Version
God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And everyone who confesses Yeshua, that he is The Son of God, God dwells in him and he dwells in God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

Godbey New Testament
Whosoever may confess that Jesus is the Son of God, in him God abides, and he in God.

Haweis New Testament
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.

Mace New Testament
whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Weymouth New Testament
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God--God continues in union with him, and he continues in union with God.

Worrell New Testament
Whosoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in Him, and he in God.

Worsley New Testament
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Love Comes from God
14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.…

Cross References
Romans 10:9-10
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. / For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

John 14:20
On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.

John 15:4-5
Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 6:56
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.

1 John 2:23
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

Matthew 10:32
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.

1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

John 20:31
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

1 John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.

John 17:21-23
that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. / I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— / I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

2 John 1:9
Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Philippians 2:11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 3:6
But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.

Acts 8:37
And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.” The eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Isaiah 43:10-11
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. / I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me.


Treasury of Scripture

Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

confess.

1 John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 5:1,5
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him…

Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

God dwelleth.

1 John 4:12
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 3:24
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Jump to Previous
Abides Abideth Acknowledges Confess Confesses Continues Dwelleth Jesus Openly Union
Jump to Next
Abides Abideth Acknowledges Confess Confesses Continues Dwelleth Jesus Openly Union
1 John 4
1. He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;
7. and exhorts to brotherly love.














If anyone confesses
The Greek word for "confesses" is "ὁμολογέω" (homologeō), which means to agree, acknowledge, or declare openly. In the early Christian context, confession was not merely a verbal acknowledgment but a profound declaration of faith that often came with significant personal risk. This confession is a public affirmation of belief in Jesus Christ, aligning oneself with the truth of the Gospel. Historically, this confession was a distinguishing mark of the early Christian community, setting believers apart from both Jewish and pagan contemporaries.

that Jesus is the Son of God
The phrase "Jesus is the Son of God" is central to Christian doctrine, affirming both the divinity and the unique relationship of Jesus with the Father. The title "Son of God" signifies Jesus' divine nature and His role in the Trinity. In the historical context of the early church, this confession was a bold statement against prevailing Jewish and Greco-Roman beliefs. It affirmed the incarnation, that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, a cornerstone of Christian faith that was revolutionary and transformative for believers.

God abides in him
The word "abides" comes from the Greek "μένω" (menō), meaning to remain, dwell, or continue. This term conveys a sense of permanence and intimacy in the relationship between God and the believer. Theologically, this abiding presence of God signifies the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a promise of continual fellowship and guidance. Historically, this assurance of God's presence provided comfort and strength to early Christians facing persecution and trials, reinforcing their identity as God's children.

and he in God
This phrase emphasizes the mutual indwelling between the believer and God, highlighting the profound union that occurs through faith in Christ. The reciprocal nature of this relationship is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, where believers are not only recipients of God's presence but are also invited into a deeper communion with Him. Scripturally, this reflects the covenant relationship God establishes with His people, a theme woven throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament covenants to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ.

Verse 15. - Whosoever confesseth ο{ς α}ν ὁμολογήση. This rendering seems preferable to "whosoever shall confess" or "shall have 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

anyone
Ὃς (Hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

confesses
ὁμολογήσῃ (homologēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3670: From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Son
Υἱὸς (Huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

abides
μένει (menei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

God.
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


Links
1 John 4:15 NIV
1 John 4:15 NLT
1 John 4:15 ESV
1 John 4:15 NASB
1 John 4:15 KJV

1 John 4:15 BibleApps.com
1 John 4:15 Biblia Paralela
1 John 4:15 Chinese Bible
1 John 4:15 French Bible
1 John 4:15 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
1 John 4:14
Top of Page
Top of Page