1 John 4 Study Notes
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4:1 God gives the Spirit (3:24), but there are counterfeits in the form of many false prophets. Discernment is a critical characteristic for Christian disciples.
homologeo
| Greek pronunciation | [hah mah lah GEH oh] |
| CSB translation | confess |
| Uses in 1 John | 5 |
| Uses in the NT | 26 |
| Focus passage | 1 John 4:2-3,15 |
Homologeo (to confess) functions in a number of ways in the NT, and it plays an important part in John’s theology (nearly 40 percent of its occurrences appear in John’s writings). Most often, homologeo means to assert, confess or declare publicly (Mt 7:23; Mt 10:32 = Lk 12:8; Jn 9:22; 12:42; Ac 23:8). This outward confession is viewed as a window into the person’s actual beliefs (Rm 10:10). In this sense, homologeo may refer to a public declaration of agreement with some religious confession or set of doctrines (Jn 1:20; Ac 24:14; Rm 10:9,10; 1Tm 6:12; Ti 1:16). The confession spoken of in 1Jn 1:9 appears to be private but does not exclude public confession. Elsewhere, homologeo stresses the idea of an agreement or acknowledgment about something (Heb 11:13), and it may mean to assure or promise (Mt 14:7; Ac 7:17) and also to praise (Heb 13:15).
4:2 God’s Spirit does not condone false doctrine. By the end of the first century a view of Christ arose that denied his true humanity. In this view, the Son of God assumed human form for a time, but the divine Christ departed from the earthly Jesus before the crucifixion. John insisted that Christ had come in the flesh. God was truly and fully incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth.
4:3 The words spirit that does not confess Jesus show that John was aware of people speaking by the power of spirits other than the Holy Spirit.
4:4 The one who is in the world probably refers to the devil, whether in person or as represented by his spiritual and human servants.
4:5 Spiritual deception is more attractive and plausible to non-Christians than the truth of the gospel message.
4:6 The we here consists of John and the apostolic circle and then all who accept their message. John seems to be stating that the clarity that results from people showing their true colors is valuable.
4:7 The opening appeal here echoes Jesus himself (Jn 13:34) as well as 1Jn 3:11,23; 4:1.
4:8 God is love does not mean that love is God. Love is an attribute of God, like righteousness and goodness. Those who truly know him share in this attribute.
4:9 The phrase live through him means not just biological existence, but the spiritual high road of eternal life.
4:10 On atoning sacrifice, see note at 2:2. The standard of love is not what humans feel but what God has revealed in Christ’s life and death on the cross.
4:11 The phrase God loved us in this way means that Jesus was obedient to the point of death.
4:12 John used the phrase no one has ever seen God to refer to God the Father in his heavenly splendor, but God the Son makes the invisible Father clearly known (Jn 1:18).
4:13 His Spirit plays a crucial role in assuring and convincing believers. That is why it is so important not to tolerate the presence of false spirits (v. 1).
4:14 Like the “we” of the opening verses of 1 Jn, this we refers to John and other apostles. Few if any of John’s readers would have actually seen Jesus in the flesh.
4:15 Confession of the truth about the Son is a condition for a relationship with God the Father.
4:16 In some verses John emphasized the ethical side of saving faith; in others he stressed doctrinal fidelity. Here his emphasis is on the devotion of the passions and heart—love. On God is love, see the note v. 8.
4:17 The “he” in as he is, so also are we could refer to either Jesus or God the Father. If the reference is to Jesus, John was saying that as the Son lived in this world, loved others, and pleased God, so can his followers. If the “he” refers to the Father, John meant that as God dwells with his people and moves them to reflect his love, they have complete confidence in view of the coming judgment.
4:18 With the words no fear, John was speaking of the terror of final judgment (v. 17) and eternal punishment. He was not rejecting the healthy “fear of the Lord” that other biblical writers commend (e.g., Pr 1:7).
4:19 Because God first loved us, our wills and affections are transformed so that love replaces our selfishness.
4:20-21 Followers of Christ love God and love others—or they are not true disciples of Christ.