Easter · Fifth Sunday of Easter · Year B
1 John 4:1-11 (12-21)
Test the Spirits
April 25, 2027
Overview & Insights
“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son.” (1 John 4:10)
In a style typical of the Elder, a subject introduced at the end of the previous section (the Spirit, 3:24) becomes the main issue at the beginning of the next. Throughout 4:1–6 the Elder is concerned to help his readers correctly discern truth from error (4:6b) and true prophetic speaking (4:2) from false (4:1a, 3). This effort is part of the writer’s larger project to strengthen the Johannine Christians and to assure them of their right standing with God (4:4, 6) in the face of the continuing attacks on his community by the secessionists (2:19; 4:3; 2 John 7–11).
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on 1 John 4:7-21 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary on love that comes from God because God is love.
1 John 4:7-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed reading linking our love for each other to God's prior love for us.
Enduring Word: 1 John 4 Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse study of testing the spirits and God is love.
BibleHub: 1 John 4:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on testing the spirits and confessing Christ come in the flesh.
Precept Austin: 1 John 4:7 Commentary Precept Austin
In depth word study and cross references on love that is from God.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why must we test the spirits?
Not every spirit is from God; the Spirit of God confesses Jesus come in the flesh. And because God so loved us, we also ought to love one another, for God is love.
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