1 John 4

1 John 4, part of the epistle of 1 John, written around AD 85–95 by the apostle John, likely from Ephesus, to Christians in Asia Minor facing false teachers, emphasizes discerning true spirits, the centrality of love as God’s nature, and the assurance of faith through God’s indwelling Spirit. John urges believers to test teachings, love one another as evidence of knowing God, and abide in Christ’s love, which casts out fear and confirms salvation.
Key Sections
Testing the Spirits (4:1–6): Don’t believe every spirit; test them to see if they’re from God, as many false prophets exist. The spirit confessing Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; denying this is the antichrist’s spirit, already in the world. Believers, from God, have overcome these, as He in them is greater than the world’s spirit. False prophets speak worldly views, gaining worldly followers, but believers hear God’s truth, distinguishing truth from error.
God Is Love (4:7–12): Love one another, for love is from God; those who love are born of God and know Him. Those who don’t love don’t know God, as God is love. His love was shown by sending His Son as propitiation for sins. Since God loved us, we should love one another. No one has seen God, but if we love, God abides in us, His love perfected in us.
Assurance Through the Spirit (4:13–16): God’s Spirit in us confirms we abide in Him. John testifies that the Father sent the Son as Savior, and those confessing Jesus as God’s Son abide in God. God’s love, known and believed, assures believers, as God is love, and abiding in love means abiding in God.
Love Casts Out Fear (4:17–21): Love perfected in us gives confidence for judgment day, as we are like Christ. No fear exists in love; perfect love casts out fear, tied to punishment. Those who fear aren’t perfected in love. We love because God first loved us. Claiming to love God while hating a brother makes one a liar, as loving God requires loving visible brothers.
Cross-References
Testing Spirits: 
1 Corinthians 12:10: Discern spirits.

Matthew 24:24: False prophets.

1 Timothy 4:1: Deceitful spirits.
Jesus in Flesh: 
John 1:14: Word became flesh.

2 John 1:7: Deceivers deny flesh.

Romans 8:3: Sent in flesh.
Greater Is He: 
John 16:33: Overcome world.

Romans 8:37: More than conquerors.

Ephesians 6:16: Shield of faith.
God Is Love: 
John 3:16: Loved the world.

Romans 5:8: Love for sinners.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7: Love’s traits.
Propitiation: 
Romans 3:25: Christ as propitiation.

Hebrews 2:17: Atonement for sins.

Leviticus 16:15: Atonement offering.
Spirit’s Assurance: 
Romans 8:16: Spirit testifies.

John 14:17: Spirit of truth.

Galatians 4:6: Spirit cries Abba.
No Fear in Love: 
Romans 8:15: Not spirit of fear.

2 Timothy 1:7: Spirit of power.

Psalm 27:1: Lord is strength.
Theological Meaning
Discernment’s Necessity: True spirits affirm Jesus’ incarnation, countering false teachings (4:2–3; 2 Corinthians 11:4).

Love’s Divine Source: God’s nature as love defines believers’ actions, proving faith (4:7–8; John 13:35).

Christ’s Atonement: God’s love sent Jesus as propitiation, securing forgiveness (4:10; Ephesians 2:4–5).

Abiding in God: Love and the Spirit confirm mutual indwelling with God (4:13–16; John 15:4–5).

Fearless Confidence: Perfect love removes fear, assuring believers for judgment (4:17–18; Romans 8:1).

Love’s Consistency: Hating others contradicts claimed love for God (4:20–21; Matthew 22:39).
Questions and Answers
Why test spirits (4:1)?
False prophets deceive; only those confessing Jesus’ incarnation are from God (4:1–2; 1 Corinthians 14:29).

What is the antichrist’s spirit (4:3)?
Denying Jesus came in the flesh, already active in false teachers (4:3; 2 John 1:7).

How is God love (4:8)?
His essence is love, shown in sending Jesus, shaping believers’ lives (4:8–10; John 4:24).

What is propitiation (4:10)?
Jesus’ sacrifice appeases God’s wrath, atoning for sins (4:10; Hebrews 9:12).

How does the Spirit assure (4:13)?
His presence confirms believers abide in God, affirming Jesus as Savior (4:13–14; Romans 8:9).

Why no fear in love (4:18)?
God’s love removes fear of judgment, perfecting confidence (4:18; 1 John 3:1).

How does this apply today?
Discern truth, love others, and abide in God’s love fearlessly (4:16; Colossians 3:14).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to Christians in Asia Minor, facing Gnostic-like false teachers denying Jesus’ humanity (4:2). John, likely in Ephesus, counters heresies during Domitian’s reign (AD 85–95). Persecution and doctrinal disputes (4:1–3) challenged their faith.

Cultural Questions: “Spirits” (4:1) reflects Jewish pneumatology, familiar in synagogues (Isaiah 61:1). “Incarnation” (4:2) counters Gnostic dualism, critical for readers (Philippians 2:7). “Antichrist” (4:3) uses Jewish apocalyptic terms, vivid in churches (Daniel 7:25). “Love” (4:8) contrasts Greco-Roman self-interest, bold in Ephesus (Deuteronomy 7:8). “Propitiation” (4:10) evokes Jewish atonement, resonant in temple memory (Leviticus 4:20). “Fear” (4:18) addresses Roman persecution fears, urgent for believers (Psalm 56:3).

Application: 1 John 4 calls believers to test teachings, love sacrificially, and rest in God’s love. It challenges false doctrine, hatred, and fear, urging discernment and confident abiding in Christ in a deceptive world (Romans 12:9–10; Ephesians 4:15–16).