1 John 4

1. The Apostle again warneth believers of false Teachers. 2. Whom he describes. 4. And comforts them against the seduction of the same, by the gift of regeneration which they have received. 6. Exhorting them to continue steadfastly in the doctrine of the Apostles. 7. Afterward he cometh again to exhortations unto mutual love, which is a right evidence of true regeneration. 9. And to this end sets before them the example of God, and his great love unto us. 12. Teacheth that thereby we are assured by his spirit that we have communion with God. 14. As also if we confess that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and the son of God. 16. That by love we abide in God, and have boldness in the day of judgement. 18. That the same drives away the fear of damnation and trouble of the mind. 20. That we cannot love God, if we love not our neighbor. 21. Seeing both these commandments are given us together.

1. Beloved believe not every spirit [That is, Teacher, which pretends that his doctrine is from the revelation of the holy spirit. See 1 Tim. 4. 1.] but try the spirits [namely, by the touchstone of God’s word. See 1 Thes. 5. 21.] whether they are of God: [that is, whether their doctrine be inspired by God, and agreeth with God’s word] for many false Prophets, not only who foretell any thing that is not true, but also who perversely interpret the Scripture, and teach false doctrines. See Matth. 24. 24.] are gone out into the world. [See 1 John 2:19.]

2. Hereby ye know [Or hereby know the spirit of God: imperatively] the spirit of God. [that is, the doctrine which is inspired by the spirit God. Or a true teacher who is moved by the spirit of God] Every spirit [that is, Teacher. See ver. 1.] that confesseth [that is,openly teacheth and acknowledgeth] that Jesus Christ [Gr. Jesus Christ being come in the flesh, see ver. 3. And 2 John 7.] is come in the flesh, [that is, hath assumed the human nature, as the only Mediator, to reconcile us unto God in the same. See John 1:14. Romans 1:3. This is the principal article of Christian Religion, and as a sum of the same. See Matth. 16. 16. Mark 8:29. John 20:31. Romans 1:3, 4. And thereby it appears that he was the son of God before he assumed the human nature] he is of God: [i.e. He is a true Teacher, who propoundeth the divine truth and doctrine.]

3. And every spirit which confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, he is not of God: but this is Antichrist, which is contrary to the truth of the person and office of Christ] which (spirit) ye have heard that it shall come, and is now already in the world.

4. Little children ye are of God, [That is, regenerated by the spirit of God, and thereby enlightened with the knowledge of the true and divine doctrine] and have overcome [namely, by your steadfastness in the true doctrine, from which they were not able to withdraw or seduce you. See Matth. 24. 24.] them: [name the false Teachers] for he [namely, the spirit of God] is greater [that is, mightier, as John 10:29. And 1 John 3:20. Namely, to preserve you in the truth, and to strengthen you against seductions] which is in you, [That is, which God hath given you, and abideth in you. See chapter 3. 9.] than he that is in the world. [namely, the Devil, or the spirit of error, ver. 6. Who is in worldly and unregenerate men, such as the false teachers are, as is said in the following verse.]

5. They [Namely, the false Teachers] are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, [that is, things which are of the world, and which agree with the understanding of regenerate men, or with their worldly lusts also] and the world [that is, worldly and unregenerated men, as chapter 3. 13.] hereth them. [that is, embraceth their false doctrine.]

6. We [Namely, Apostles, and they that propound one kind of doctrine with us] are of God. [that is, not only regenerated by the spirit of God, and enlightened with the knowledge of the truth, but also called by him, to preach his divine truth purely unto men] He that knoweth God [namely, rightly, as he hath revealed himself in his word] heareth us: [that is, embraceth our doctrine, as before] he that is not of God, heareth us not. Hereby we know [namely, when men hear us, and embrace our doctrine] and the Spirit of error. [namely, when men hear us not. So that by the doctrine and writings of the Apostles (as also of the Prophets and evangelists) must be judged of the truth or error in doctrine]

7. Beloved let us love one another: for love is of God, [that is, God is an author of love, who worketh the same in us, and commandeth it us] and every one that loveth is born of God, [that is, that is a certain sign, that he is truly regenerated by the spirit of God] and knoweth God: [namely, aright, what manner of one he is, what pleaseth him, and what he hath commanded us.]

8. He that loveth not hath not known God: for God is love. [that is, God loveth not only himself but also all his creatures, and especially his elect in Christ Jesus, with such a great love and affection, that it may be rightly said, that he not only loveth, but also is love itself, as he is also called wisdom, goodness etc. itself]

9. Herein is the love of God towards us, [Gr. In us, as also ver. 16. Or among us] manifested, that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we [Namely, who believe in him, as is exprest, John 3:16.] might live [namely, spiritually and eternally] through him.

10. Herein is love [That is, appeareth the greatness of God’s love unto us] not that we loved God, [namely first, so that by our love we should have stirred up God to love us again. For we were by nature haters of God, Romans 1:30. And enemies of God. Romans 5:10.] but that he loved us, [namely, first, as is exprest ver. 19.] and sent his son (for) a ransom for our sins.

11. Beloved if God have so loved us, [Namely, with such a great, exceeding, undeserved, and unspeakable love] we also ought [that is, it is not only seemly, that we should herein follow the example of God as his children: but we are thereby as also by God’s command obliged so to do] to love one another. [that is, not only God, who hath so exceedingly loved men, but also we men one another for his sake.]

12. None [Namely, of men, as is exprest 1 Tim. 6. 16.] hath ever beheld God: [namely, with eyes of the body, as is declared ver. 20. i.e. although men cannot see and behold God with their bodily eyes, yet nevertheless so it is, that he abideth in us, if we love one another] if we love one another God with their bodily eyes, yet nevertheless so it is, that he abideth in us, if we love one another.] if we love one another God abideth in us, [See the exposition hereof on 1 John 3:24.] and his love [namely, with which we love him] is perfect in us. [See the annotate. on chapter 2. Ver. 5.]

13. Hereby we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit. [see the exposition chapter 3. 24.]

14. And we have beheld it, [See chapter 1. 1.] and testify that the father hath sent (his) son (for) a Saviour of the world. [that is, of the elect and faithful in the whole world. See John 3:17. And chapter 4. 42. And 1 John 2:2.]

15. Whosoever shall have confessed [Namely, and further shall have done that which his confession requires. Namely, shall have embraced him by a true faith, and shown his faith by the works of Love. For otherwise the Devils also indeed confessed this, Matthew 8:29. Mark 5:7.] that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. [See the exposition chapter 3. 24.]

16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath unto us. [Gr. In us] God is love: [See the exposition ver. 8.] and [that is, therefore] he that abideth in love, he abideth in God, and God in him.

17. Herein is love perfect with us, [That is, hereby are we perfect in love, namely, that like as he is, we are also in the world, as followeth] that we may have boldness in the day of judgement, [that is, a bold confidence that we shall not be condemned in that day: seeing we now exercise love, and the Lord Christ shall then bring forth works of love, not as meritorious causes of absolution and salvation, but as fruits and evidences of our faith. See Matth. 25. Ver. 34. 35. Etc] (namely) that even as he is, [that is, even as Christ walked in love, ver. 8. 10. Matth. 5. 48.] we are also in this world.

18. There is no fear [Namely, of being condemned in the day of judgement, which fear is called a slavish fear. For he speaketh not here of the fear of God, which is the beginning of all wisdom, Psalms 111:10. Which is a childlike reverence of the Divine Majesty, and a fullness not to provoke the same: seeing that is commanded us, Philippians 2:12. 1 Pet. 1. 17.] in love, [that is, in them who show their faith by love: who truly love God and their neighbor] but perfect love [that is, when we sincerely love God and our neighbor. See chapter 2. 5.] driveth out fear: [Gr. Casteth. For this fear is so firmly implanted in the hearts and consciences of sinners, that it must as it were by force be driven out of the heart by a strong and true faith. Now that we have a true faith, is known by the true love of God and our neighbor, to which therefore this driving out is also ascribed] for fear [namely, that we shall be damned] hath torment, [or punishment, i.e. vexation, anguish, and distress of mind, which ceaseth when we are assured of the truth of our faith, which is done both by the spirit of God, and by the works of love, which by how much greater it is, by so much the fear and anguish is the less] and he that feareth, is not perfect in love. [that is, hath not yet true love: for if he had it, he would drive out this fear.]

19. We love him [Or let us love him, i.e. God, for the Greek Text may bear both Translations] because he loved us first. [See vers. 10.]

20. If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother [That is, not only actually hateth him, but even also doth not love him; as the following words declare] he is a liar. [see chapter 2. 4.] For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, [that is, whose person, state, and necessity he seeth, by which sight love and mercy useth to be stirred up in the heart] how can he love God [he would say he can in no wise love God: seeing men are more easily moved to love by sight then by hearing, and God no less requires the one love of us than the other] whom he hath not seen?

21. And this commandment we have from him, (namely) that he that loveth God, should love his brother also.