4:6 {5} We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the {e} spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
(5) He testifies to them that his doctrine and the doctrine of his companions, is the assured word of God which of necessity we have boldly to set against all the mouths of the whole world, and thereby discern the truth from falsehood.
(e) True prophets, against whom are false prophets, that is, those who err and lead others into error.
4:6 We are of God. Hence speaks God's message, and those that know God accept the message.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. By the principles given in 1Jo 4:2-5 we distinguish between the spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) and that of error.
4:6 We - Apostles. Are of God - Immediately taught, and sent by him. Hereby we know - From what is said, 1Jo 4:2 -
6.
4:1-6 Christians who are well acquainted with the Scriptures, may, in humble dependence on Divine teaching, discern those who set forth doctrines according to the apostles, and those who contradict them. The sum of revealed religion is in the doctrine concerning Christ, his person and office. The false teachers spake of the world according to its maxims and tastes, so as not to offend carnal men. The world approved them, they made rapid progress, and had many followers such as themselves; the world will love its own, and its own will love it. The true doctrine as to the Saviour's person, as leading men from the world to God, is a mark of the spirit of truth in opposition to the spirit of error. The more pure and holy any doctrine is, the more likely to be of God; nor can we by any other rules try the spirits whether they are of God or not. And what wonder is it, that people of a worldly spirit should cleave to those who are like themselves, and suit their schemes and discourses to their corrupt taste?
