1 John 4:6

We be of God; he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. In this thing we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The 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.

In Context

5They be of the world, therefore they speak of the world, (or and so they speak about the world), and the world heareth them.

7Most dear brethren, love we together, for charity is of God; and each that loveth his brother, is born of God, and knoweth God. (Most dear brothers, love one another, for love is from God; and each one who loveth his brother, is born of God, or is a child of God, and knoweth God.)

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Isaiah 8:20It is to go to the law more rather, and to the witnessing, that if they say not after this word, morrowtide light shall not be to them. ( Say thou, It is better to go to the Law, and to the testimony, and if they say not after this word, then the light is not in them.)

Hosea 4:12My people asked in his tree, and the staff thereof told to it; for the spirit of fornication deceived them, and they did fornication, (going away) from their God. (My people asked for counsel, or advice, from their piece of wood, and a staff, or a stick, told them what to do; and so the spirit of adultery, or of idolatry, deceived them, and they did adultery, or idolatry, and went away from their God.)

Micah 3:8Nevertheless I am filled with (the) strength of the Spirit of the Lord, and with doom and power (or and with judgement and with power), (so) that I show to Jacob his great trespass, and to Israel his sin.

John 8:19Therefore they said to him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Neither ye know me, nor ye know my Father; if ye knew me, peradventure ye should know also my Father.

John 10:16I have other sheep, that be not of this fold, and it behooveth me to bring them together, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be made one fold and one shepherd.

John 13:20Truly, truly, I say to you, he that taketh whomever I shall send, receiveth me, (or Truly, I tell you the truth, he who receiveth whomever I shall send, receiveth me); and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:5-7

Danger of Antichristian Spirit. ( a. d. 80.) 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 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. In these verses the apostle encourages the disciples against the fear and danger of this seducing antichristian… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 4:6