1 John 4:2
New International Version
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

New Living Translation
This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God.

English Standard Version
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Berean Standard Bible
By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Berean Literal Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh is of God,

King James Bible
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

New King James Version
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

New American Standard Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;

NASB 1995
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;

NASB 1977
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;

Legacy Standard Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Amplified Bible
By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source];

Christian Standard Bible
This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.

American Standard Version
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Contemporary English Version
and you can know which ones come from God. His Spirit says that Jesus Christ had a truly human body.

English Revised Version
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is how you can recognize God's Spirit: Every person who declares that Jesus Christ has come as a human has the Spirit that is from God.

Good News Translation
This is how you will be able to know whether it is God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God.

International Standard Version
This is how you can recognize God's Spirit: Every spirit who acknowledges that Jesus the Messiah has become human—and remains so—is from God.

Majority Standard Bible
By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

NET Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus as the Christ who has come in the flesh is from God,

New Heart English Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

Webster's Bible Translation
By this ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ hath come in the flesh, is from God:

Weymouth New Testament
The test by which you may recognize the Spirit of God is that every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come as man is from God,

World English Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh, it is of God,

Berean Literal Bible
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh is of God,

Young's Literal Translation
in this know ye the Spirit of God; every spirit that doth confess Jesus Christ in the flesh having come, of God it is,

Smith's Literal Translation
In this ye know the spirit of God: Every spirit which acknowledges Jesus Christ having come in the flesh is of God:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
By this is the spirit of God known. Every spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God:

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Spirit of God may be known in this way. Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has arrived in the flesh is of God;

New American Bible
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God,

New Revised Standard Version
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The Spirit of God is known by this: Every prophecy which declares that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is from God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The Spirit of God is known by this: every spirit who confesses that Yeshua The Messiah has come in the flesh is from God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, is from God:

Godbey New Testament
In this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God:

Haweis New Testament
By this ye know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesseth that Jesus the Messiah is come in the flesh, is from God.

Mace New Testament
by this you may distinguish the spirit of God: "every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is from God.

Weymouth New Testament
The test by which you may recognize the Spirit of God is that every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come as man is from God,

Worrell New Testament
In this ye know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ hath come in flesh is of God;

Worsley New Testament
By this ye may know the Spirit of God: every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ, who is come in the flesh, is of God:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Testing the Spirits
1Beloved, 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. 2By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.…

Cross References
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-7
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Hebrews 2:14
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,

Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

John 20:28
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

Colossians 2:9
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.

2 John 1:7
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).

Luke 1:35
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

Galatians 4:4
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.


Treasury of Scripture

Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Every.

1 John 5:1
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.

John 16:13-15
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come…

1 Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

come.

1 John 4:3
And 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.

John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

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1 John 4
1. He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;
7. and exhorts to brotherly love.














By this you know
The phrase "By this you know" serves as a definitive statement, providing believers with a clear criterion for discernment. The Greek word for "know" here is "γινώσκετε" (ginōskete), which implies a deep, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual assent. This suggests that the knowledge of the Spirit of God is not just theoretical but is something believers can experience and recognize in their daily walk with Christ. Historically, this assurance was crucial for early Christians who faced various false teachings and needed a reliable way to discern truth from error.

the Spirit of God
The "Spirit of God" refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who is active in the world and in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit's role is to testify about Christ, guide believers into all truth, and empower them for godly living. In the context of 1 John, the Spirit of God is contrasted with false spirits, emphasizing the need for discernment. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a hallmark of true Christian faith and is evidenced by the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord.

Every spirit that confesses
The word "confesses" comes from the Greek "ὁμολογεῖ" (homologei), meaning to agree or to declare openly. This confession is not merely a verbal acknowledgment but a heartfelt declaration of faith. In the early church, confession was a public and often dangerous act, as it could lead to persecution. Thus, this confession is a bold affirmation of belief in Jesus Christ, distinguishing true believers from those who follow false teachings.

that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
This phrase is central to Christian doctrine, affirming the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ἐληλυθότα" (elelythota) for "has come" indicates a completed action with ongoing significance. The incarnation is the belief that Jesus, the eternal Son of God, took on human nature and lived among us. This counters early heresies like Docetism, which denied Christ's true humanity. The historical reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith, and this confession is a test of orthodoxy.

is from God
The phrase "is from God" signifies divine origin and approval. In the context of 1 John, it serves as a litmus test for determining the authenticity of spiritual claims. A spirit that acknowledges the true nature of Jesus Christ aligns with God's revelation and is therefore trustworthy. This assurance provides comfort and confidence to believers, affirming that their faith is rooted in divine truth and not human invention. The historical and scriptural context underscores the importance of adhering to apostolic teaching as the standard for truth.

Verse 2. - This verso contains the main subject of the section. To confess the Incarnation is to prove that one draws one's inspiration from God through his Spirit. Know ye; or, recognize ye γινώσκετε, may be either imperative, in harmony with "believe" and "prove" (verse 1), or indicative, in harmony with "we know" (1 John 3:16, [19,] 24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
By
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.

this
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

you will know
γινώσκετε (ginōskete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: 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
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

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

Every
πᾶν (pan)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

spirit
πνεῦμα (pneuma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

that
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

confesses [that]
ὁμολογεῖ (homologei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3670: From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.

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

Christ
Χριστὸν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

has come
ἐληλυθότα (elēlythota)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

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.

[the] flesh
σαρκὶ (sarki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

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.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: 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
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: 1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
1 John 4:1
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