Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
TESTS OF FALSE PROPHETS. LOVE, THE TEST OF BIRTH FROM GOD, AND THE NECESSARY FRUIT OF KNOWING HIS GREAT LOVE IN CHRIST TO US. (1Jo. 4:1-21)
Beloved--the affectionate address wherewith he calls their attention, as to an important subject.
every spirit--which presents itself in the person of a prophet. The Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, speak by men's spirits as their organs. There is but one Spirit of truth, and one spirit of Antichrist.
try--by the tests (1 John 4:2-3). All believers are to do so: not merely ecclesiastics. Even an angel's message should be tested by the word of God: much more men's teachings, however holy the teachers may seem.
because, etc.--the reason why we must "try," or test the spirits.
many false prophets--not "prophets" in the sense "foretellers," but organs of the spirit that inspires them, teaching accordingly either truth or error: "many Antichrists."
are gone out--as if from God.
into the world--said alike of good and bad prophets (2 John 1:7). The world is easily seduced (1 John 4:4-5).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
John 19:35
1 Corinthians 2:15
1 Corinthians 12:10
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
2 Thessalonians 2:2
1 Timothy 4:3
1 John 3:24
1 John 4:3
2 John 1:7
Revelation 2:2
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