King James Version

What Does 1 John 4:2 Mean?

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

Context

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

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

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.

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.

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Topics in This Verse

Holy Spirit

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. Be patient therefore--**as judgment is so near (Jas 5:1, 3), ye may well afford to be "patient" after the example of the unresisting Just one (Jas 5:6). **brethren--**contrasted with the "rich" oppressors, Jas 5:1-6. **unto the coming of the Lord--**Christ, when the trial of your patience shall cease. **husbandman waiteth for--**that is, patiently bears toils and delays through hope of the harvest at last. Its "preciousness" (compare Psa 126:6, "precious seed") will more than compensate for all the past. Compare the same image, Ga 6:3, 9. **hath long patience for it--**"over it," in respect to it. **until he receive--**"until it receive" [Alford]. Even if English Version be retained, the receiving of the early and latter rains is not to be understood as the object of his hope, but the harvest for which those rains are the necessary preliminary. The early rain fell at sowing time, about November or December; the latter rain, about March or April, to mature the grain for harvest. The latter rain that shall precede the coming spiritual harvest, will probably be another Pentecost-like effusion of the Holy Ghost.

Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 4:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.