1 John
King James Version (KJV)
1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
King James Version (KJV)
1 John 4:1 Context
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
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Other Translations
Beloued, beleeue not euery spirit, but trie the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- American Standard Version (1901)
My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Basic English Bible
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- Darby Bible
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Webster's Bible
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to see whether they are from God; for many false teachers have gone out into the world.
- Weymouth Bible
Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- World English Bible
Moost dere britheren, nyle ye bileue to ech spirit, but preue ye spiritis, if thei ben of God; for many false prophetis wenten out in to the world.
- Wycliffe Bible
Beloved, every spirit believe not, but prove the spirits, if of God they are, because many false prophets have gone forth to the world;
- Youngs Literal Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- American Standard Version (1901)
My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Basic English Bible
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- Darby Bible
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Webster's Bible
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to see whether they are from God; for many false teachers have gone out into the world.
- Weymouth Bible
Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- World English Bible
Moost dere britheren, nyle ye bileue to ech spirit, but preue ye spiritis, if thei ben of God; for many false prophetis wenten out in to the world.
- Wycliffe Bible
Beloved, every spirit believe not, but prove the spirits, if of God they are, because many false prophets have gone forth to the world;
- Youngs Literal Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for 1 John 4:1
4:1 Believe not every spirit - Whereby any teacher is actuated. But try the spirits - By the rule which follows. We are to try all spirits by the written word: To the law and to the testimony! If any man speak not according to these, the spirit which actuates him is not of God.
People's Bible Notes for 1 John 4:1
1Jo 4:1 Trying the Spirits SUMMARY OF I JOHN 4: How to Distinguish the Spirits of Truth and Error. Love a Proof That We Are Born of God. God's Great Love for Us. How We Secure the Indwelling of God. How Love Is Made Perfect. Believe not every spirit. The last chapter has closed concerning the Spirit, but some are moved by other spirits than that of Christ. But try the spirits whether they are of God. Test the spirit that moves teachers and see whether it be of God. 1Jo 4:2 tells how to test. Because many false prophets are gone out into the world. There were many false teachers in that age as well as in ours, and some claimed to be inspired.