1 John 4:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

NIV: You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

NASB: You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

CSB: You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

NLT: But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

After speaking about false teachers in verses 1 through 3, John offers reassurance. He refers to his readers as "little children," using the same Greek phrasing he did in 1 John 2:12. He then offers three words of comfort concerning their lives.

First, John encourages them, "you are from God." In other words, John saw them as true believers in whom God lived.

Second, he adds that these believers have "overcome" these antichrists. John uses the concept of overcoming five other times in his letter. Believers have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:13, 14) and have overcome the world (1 John 5:4–5).

Third, John reminds the reader that the power of Christ, who lives in the believer, is greater than the power of the world. The Holy Spirit living in the Christian is far stronger than any attack by the Devil. This encouragement should empower believers not to fear Satan, but rather trust the Lord and obey His commands. By doing so, we can overcome the powers of darkness and walk with boldness in this life.

First John 4:1–6 warns Christians not to blindly accept all spiritual claims. There are many false teachers in the world. It's important to carefully consider both the source and the content of a teaching before we accept it. John gives several tests, though his comments are not meant to cover all possible concerns. Those who deny Christ, His humanity, or who reject the basics of the gospel, cannot be trusted.

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 5/4/2024 5:34:17 PM