1 John 4 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of 1 John 4

The First Epistle of John, also known as 1 John, is believed to have been written by the Apostle John, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. John, as a close companion of Jesus, provides a unique perspective on the teachings and life of the Savior. John delves into the importance of love and discernment in the Christian faith in this chapter. He emphasizes the need to test the spirits and distinguish true prophets from false ones, echoing the warnings found in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 7:15-20). John reminds the believers that the love of God is the foundation of their faith, and that true love casts out fear, as mentioned in the book of Romans (Romans 8:15).

The chapter also touches on the significance of Jesus Christ’s incarnation and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers. John’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love and the importance of maintaining a steadfast faith in the face of worldly temptations and deceptions.

1 John 4:1-6

Verse 1 of 1 John chapter 4 warns believers not to believe every spirit, as many false prophets have gone out into the world. This admonition is crucial even in contemporary times when there are numerous teachings that claim to be from God but contradict the foundational truths of the Bible. It underscores the importance of discernment and testing the spirits against the truth of God’s Word. This instruction echoes similar sentiments found in Matthew 7:15-20, where Jesus also warns about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. The call is to be vigilant and not easily swayed by deceptive teachings.

Moving on to verses 2 and 3, John provides a criterion by which teachings can be tested. He emphasizes that every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, while every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is a fundamental test of orthodoxy. The belief in the incarnation of Jesus is central to Christianity, affirming that Jesus, as the Son of God, took on human flesh to dwell among us as stated in John 1:14. Therefore, any teaching or spirit that denies this core truth is deceptive and should be rejected. John reassures believers in verses 4 and 5 that they are from God and have overcome false prophets because the One who is in them is greater than the one who is in the world. Here, John likely refers to the Holy Spirit indwelling believers, empowering them to discern and resist falsehood. This is in alignment with Jesus’ promise of sending the Holy Spirit as a helper and advocate in John 14:26. The victory over deception is attributed to the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, illuminating the truth of God’s Word and enabling believers to stand firm against falsehood. John contrasts the spirit of truth with the spirit of error in the passage’s closing with verse 6. Those who know God listen to the apostles’ teachings, recognizing the truth, while those who are not from God do not listen. This discernment between truth and error is foundational in the Christian walk, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the teachings of the apostles, who were appointed by Christ Himself. This echoes Jesus’ words in John 8:47 when He states that whoever is of God hears God’s words. Thus, the distinction between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error rests on one’s response to the teachings inspired by God through His Spirit. 1 John 4:1-6 addresses the ever-present danger of false teachings and the importance of discerning the spirits to stay true to the foundational truths of the faith. Believers are urged to test every spirit, hold fast to the confession of Jesus Christ’s incarnation, rely on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, and align with the teachings of the apostles. This passage serves as a timeless reminder for Christians to be vigilant, anchored in the truth, and guided by the Spirit in the midst of a world filled with deceptive ideologies and teachings.

1 John 4:7-12

1. Breakdown:
2. Verse 7: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
3. Verse 8: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
4. Verse 9: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”
5. Verse 10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
6. Verse 11: “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

7. Verse 12: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

8. Commentary:

9. Verses 7-8: John emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian faith. Love is not just an emotion or action, but it originates from God Himself. Those who truly know God will exhibit love in their lives because God is the epitome of love. This echoes Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He loves us (John 13:34).

10. Verse 9: John points to the ultimate demonstration of God’s love – the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from sin. This act of sending His Son as a sacrifice displays the depth of God’s love for us. This sacrifice is a recurring theme in the Bible, culminating in Jesus’ death and resurrection, offering salvation to all who believe (John 3:16).

11. Verse 10: The passage elaborates on the nature of love. True love is displayed not in our initiative, but in God’s initiative. God’s love is sacrificial and redemptive; it is an active love that seeks the well-being of others. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross exemplifies this sacrificial love, reconciling us to God (Romans 5:8).

12. Verses 11-12: John stresses the reciprocity of love. Since God first loved us, we are called to love one another. Our love for others is a reflection of God’s love dwelling within us. Believers show love to one another, and their midst reveals the presence of God, perfecting His love in them. This echoes Jesus’ teaching that love for one another is a mark of true discipleship (John 13:35).

13. Implications:

14. Love as the Core: Love is not just a characteristic of God; it is the very essence of His being. Believers should define their lives by love for God and others, mirroring God’s character.

15. God’s Initiative: The foundation of love lies in God’s proactive love for us. Understanding and accepting God’s love is crucial before we can extend that love to others.

16. Reciprocity of Love: Our response to God’s love should be to love one another. This reciprocal love among believers not only demonstrates God’s presence but also fulfills His commandments.

17. Believers can experience the fullness of God’s love and presence in their lives by abiding in God’s love and sharing it with others.

Through these verses, John challenges believers to embody love in their relationships, reflecting the love that God has lavished upon them. This message of love and unity is foundational in the Christian faith, emphasizing the transformative power of God’s love in the lives of believers and the importance of expressing this love to one another.

1 John 4:13-16

1 John 4:13-16 says, “This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. John emphasizes the importance of living in God and God living in us in this passage, which is made possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the presence of the Spirit within us that serves as evidence of our intimate connection with God. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God, a seal of our salvation and a source of comfort, guidance, and empowerment for believers.

John then points to the testimony of the apostles who witnessed firsthand the incarnation of God’s love through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world. The mission of Jesus was to reconcile humanity to God, offering salvation to all who would believe in Him. This act of sacrificial love demonstrated the depth of God’s love for us – a love so great that He would send His only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16).

Acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God is a foundational belief in Christianity. When we confess our faith in Jesus, we are inviting God to dwell within us and establish a close relationship with Him. This mutual indwelling reflects the intimacy and unity between God and His followers. It is through this connection that we experience the transformative power of God’s love in our lives.

John’s declaration that “God is love” encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of God. Love is not just an attribute of God; it is His very essence. God’s love is unconditional, sacrificial, and boundless. We, as His children, are called to reflect this love in our relationships with others. Living in love is synonymous with living in God because love originates from God Himself. This aligns with Jesus’ commandment that we are to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). Our faith and relationship with God affirm believers’ assurance and confidence in His love for us. This love is not based on our merits or actions but on God’s character and faithfulness. Therefore, we can rely on His love in every circumstance, knowing that He is always with us and working for our good (Romans 8:28). When we abide in God’s love and allow it to shape our lives, we bear witness to His presence in us and experience the fullness of His love.

1 John 4:17-21

1. We are like Jesus in this world so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment; this is how love is made complete among us.”
2. 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

3. 1 John 4:19-21: “We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

4. The verse in 1 John 4:17 emphasizes that complete love eliminates fear and grants believers confidence before God’s judgment. We can embody this love in our lives and relationships with others by aligning ourselves with Jesus’s example of sacrificial love. This echoes the teachings of Jesus, especially in verses like Matthew 5:48 – “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

5. Verse 1 John 4:18 strongly asserts that fear and love cannot coexist. When we grasp the depth of God’s perfect love for us, we are liberated from fear. This perfect love comes from God, who is the source of all love (1 John 4:7-8). The essence of Christianity is built on this foundation of love and casting aside fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

6. Verses 1 John 4:19-21 underscore the inseparable link between loving God and loving others. The command to love others is not just a suggestion but a mandate for all believers. It is a reflection of the love God has shown us through Jesus Christ (John 13:34-35). If we claim to love God while harboring hatred or indifference towards our fellow brothers and sisters, we are deceiving ourselves. This call to love is a central theme of Jesus’ teachings, as seen in the Greatest Commandment in Matthew 22:37-39.

7. Implications:

8. These verses from 1 John 4 offer a profound reflection on the nature of love and its transformative power in the life of a believer. They remind us that God’s love is not stagnant but dynamic, moving us to love others in response.

9. The command to love is not just an emotional sentiment but a deliberate choice to act in a way that honors and reflects God’s character. It challenges us to examine our relationships and ensure that our actions are rooted in love, just as God’s actions towards us are always motivated by love. These verses ultimately reinforce the interconnectedness of love, fearlessness, and obedience in the life of a believer. They call us to a higher standard of living, one that is characterized by selfless love for both God and our neighbors.

After 1 John 4

Beloved, let us remember that perfect love casts out fear. We have learned in this chapter that God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God. We should hold fast to the truth that love is from God, and we who love know God as we continue our journey through the teachings of John. Let us not deceive ourselves by false spirits but test every spirit to see if it is from God. For God’s love is made perfect in us, and as we abide in love, we abide in Him. His love lights our path, and we find true peace and assurance in Him. We will carry this message in our hearts and share it with all those we encounter on our path as we move forward.