1 JOHN 4:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world — the command to test (dokimazo) spirits guards against deception. False prophets (pseudoprophētēs) propagate false spirits; discernment is essential. The world (kosmos) has become a mission field for deception.
Church Fathers on 1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit.” 1 John 4:1 Because he had said, “In this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.” But how this same Spirit is known, mark this: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they be from God.” And who is he that proves the spirits? A hard matter has he put to us, my brethren! It is well for us that he should tell us himself how we are to discern them. He is about to tell us: fear not: but…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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