1 John 4:6 “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from…”

1 John 4:6

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

World English Bible

We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

American Standard Version

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Geneva Bible 1599

We are of God, he that knoweth God, heareth vs: he that is not of God, heareth vs not. Heereby knowe wee the spirit of trueth, and the spirit of errour.

Darby Translation

We are of God; he that knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Young's Literal Translation

we — of God we are; he who is knowing God doth hear us; he who is not of God, doth not hear us; from this we know the spirit of the truth, and the spirit of the error.

Bible in Basic English

We are of God: he who has the knowledge of God gives ear to us; he who is not of God does not give ear to us. By this we may see which is the true spirit, and which is the spirit of error.

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Cross references

“We are”

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 1 John 4:4 Micah 3:8 Romans 1:1 2 Peter 3:2 Jude 1:17

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 · BSB

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

1 John 4:4 · BSB

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

Micah 3:8 · BSB

As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

Romans 1:1 · BSB

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—

2 Peter 3:2 · BSB

by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Jude 1:17 · BSB

But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

“he that knoweth”

John 10:27 John 8:45–50 John 18:37 1 Corinthians 14:37 1 John 4:8 2 Thessalonians 1:8

John 10:27 · BSB

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.

John 8:45–50 · BSB

But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

John 18:37 · BSB

“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”

1 Corinthians 14:37 · BSB

If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

1 John 4:8 · BSB

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 · BSB

in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

“Hereby”

1 John 4:1 Isaiah 8:20

1 John 4:1 · BSB

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Isaiah 8:20 · BSB

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

“the spirit of truth”

John 14:17 John 15:26

John 14:17 · BSB

the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.

John 15:26 · BSB

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.

“and”

2 Thessalonians 2:9–11 Isaiah 29:10 Hosea 4:12 Micah 2:11 Romans 11:8

2 Thessalonians 2:9–11 · BSB

The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

Isaiah 29:10 · BSB

For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

Hosea 4:12 · BSB

My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.

Micah 2:11 · BSB

If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!

Romans 11:8 · BSB

as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

Also

John 16:13 1 Timothy 4:1 John 10:16

John 16:13 · BSB

However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

1 Timothy 4:1 · BSB

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

John 10:16 · BSB

I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

5They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.

7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Read 1 John 4