1 John 4:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

NIV: If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

NASB: Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.

CSB: Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God--God remains in him and he in God.

NLT: All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

KJV: Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

NKJV: Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

John returns again to the idea of "confessing" Jesus from verse 2 and 3. Earlier in the chapter, John taught that the spirit that confesses Jesus is from God. Here, he teaches that the person who confesses that Jesus is God's Son has God living in him, and that person lives in God. John has now shifted from recognizing Jesus in others to recognizing Jesus in one's own life.

First John 4:2 also emphasized that only false teachers deny that Jesus came in the flesh. Here, the truth also requires a person to believe that Jesus is divine—that He is God's Son. Both aspects are essential to knowing God. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. We may not fully understand it, but we must recognize Jesus as both human and divine. Without His humanity, He could not die and rise again. Without His deity, He could not be without sin and offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice. Both aspects of His being are essential to His work and to our salvation.

First John 4:11–19 is the backbone of John's letter. The primary way Christians are to be recognized is by love. This is not merely what we feel, but what we do for others. True, godly love is the most powerful evidence of being ''born again'' as a child of God. This love comes from God, who loved us before we loved Him. When we live in obedience to God, according to love, we can be confident in our relationship with Him, and have no need to fear His judgment.

Chapter 4 warns Christians not to accept every claim they hear. Instead, believers are to compare what they hear to the basic truths of the gospel. John then returns to the theme of love, explaining how believers ought to live out the presence of God's love in their lives. In addition, living according to God's love takes away our fear of judgment. In no uncertain terms, those who claim to love God, but hate others, are liars.

First John chapter 4 emphasizes the way God's love removes the natural human fear of rejection. Fear is a punishment of its own, and those who do not believe have reason to fear judgment. Believers, on the other hand, have confidence. Not only has Christ forgiven our sins, but He gives us God's love. Following in this love leads to acceptance, which leads to confidence, driving out fear. This passage is the key section of John's letter, explaining how confidence in the life of a believer ought to be accomplished.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.

Accessed 4/27/2024 6:55:12 AM