Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 John 4:1–2

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

2 selected · 8 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

10 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:21Rank 1 from verse 1
    Open

    21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  2. 2 Peter 2:1Rank 2 from verse 1
    Open

    1BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

  3. 1 Timothy 4:1Rank 3 from verse 1
    Open

    1NOW the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

  4. 2 John 1:7Rank 4 from verse 1
    Open

    7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

  5. Proverbs 14:15Rank 5 from verse 1
    Open

    15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

From verse 2

  1. John 1:14Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

  2. 1 Corinthians 12:3Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

  3. 1 Timothy 3:16Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

  4. 1 John 4:3Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    3And 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.

  5. 1 John 5:1Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    1WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 John 4:1

COMBINED MEANING

believe

↗

Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

try

↗

Sense 1: To examine, test, prove, search, or discern. Sense 2: To refine or prove by fire so that quality is made manifest.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

false

↗

Not solid or sound; deceiving expectations. Not faithful or loyal; treacherous; perfidious; deceitful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gone

↗

Departed, went away, passed, or advanced to another place or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 John 4:2

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Jesus Christ

↗

The eternal Word and Son of God, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

flesh

↗

Sense 1: The soft substance of the body. Sense 2: The body, human nature, kindred, or mankind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

1BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Selected passage

2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Selected passage

3And 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.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.