1 JOHN 4:3 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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.”
And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is already in the world — non-confession identifies the antichrist spirit. The antichrist is not merely future but present (nyn en tō kosmō), already active through deceptive teachings. Denial of Jesus characterizes all opposition to God.
Church Fathers on 1 John 4:3
“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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