Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
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Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God,.... This is a rule by which believers may know whether a man professing to have the Spirit of God, and to be called and sent by him, and whether the, doctrine he…
Barnes' Notes
Hereby - Greek, “By this;” that is, by the test which is immediately specified. Know ye the Spirit of God - You may discern who are actuated by the Spirit of God. Every spirit - Everyone professing to…
Adam Clarke
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God - We know that the man who teaches that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, and that he is come in the flesh, is of God - is inspired by the Divine Spirit; for no…
The apostle, having said that God's dwelling in and with us may be known by the Spirit that he hath given us, intimates that that Spirit may be discerned and distinguished from other spirits that…
Cambridge Bible
Hereby know ye Or, Herein ye know: the verb may be either indicative or imperative (comp. 1Jn 2:27; 1Jn 2:29). The indicative is preferable, in spite of the imperatives in 1Jn 4:4: comp. 1Jn 3:16; 1Jn…
Cross References
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