1 John 4:2

By this the Spirit of God is known: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Text-Critical English NT

In The King James Version

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

In Context

1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

3but every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and is now in the world already.

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

John 16:13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you what is to come.

1 Timothy 3:16Beyond all question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.

1 John 4:3but every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and is now in the world already.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:2-4

Concerning Antichrist. ( a. d. 80.) 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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. The apostle,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 4:2