Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
TESTS OF FALSE PROPHETS. LOVE, THE TEST OF BIRTH FROM GOD, AND THE NECESSARY FRUIT OF KNOWING HIS GREAT LOVE IN CHRIST TO US. (1Jo. 4:1-21)
Beloved—the affectionate address wherewith he calls their attention, as to an important subject.
every spirit—which presents itself in the person of a prophet. The Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, speak by men's spirits as their organs. There is but one Spirit of truth, and one spirit of Antichrist.
try—by the tests (I John 4:2-3). All believers are to do so: not merely ecclesiastics. Even an angel's message should be tested by the word of God: much more men's teachings, however holy the teachers may seem.
because, etc.—the reason why we must "try," or test the spirits.
many false prophets—not "prophets" in the sense "foretellers," but organs of the spirit that inspires them, teaching accordingly either truth or error: "many Antichrists."
are gone out—as if from God.
into the world—said alike of good and bad prophets (II John 1:7). The world is easily seduced (I John 4:4-5).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 John 4:1:
John 19:35
1 Corinthians 2:15
1 Corinthians 12:10
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
2 Thessalonians 2:2
1 Timothy 4:3
1 John 3:24
1 John 4:3
2 John 1:7
Revelation 2:2
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