1 John 4:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

NIV: They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

NASB: They are from the world, therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.

CSB: They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.

NLT: Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.

KJV: They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

NKJV: They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.

In contrast to John's three comforts in verse 4, here he offers three negative words regarding false teachers. First, these deceptive ones are from the world, not from God. Those who are from the world do not have the love of God in them (1 John 2:15–17).

Second, as a result of being from the world, these deceivers have an ungodly outlook. A worldly person will speak from a worldly perspective. This is to be expected. Those who do so, however, are not "abiding" in God, nor are they speaking the truth.

Third, these worldly people are accepted by the rest of the world, since they speak from the same ungodly viewpoint. In short, "the world listens to them." It is only natural that unbelievers will listen to and accept the teachings of unbelievers. Yet believers are taught, "Do not love the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15). Instead, believers are to do the will of God, knowing they will live for eternity with Him (1 John 2:17).

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 4/27/2024 5:40:58 AM