1 John 4:1

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

¶Ἀγαπητοί, μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε, ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν: ὅτι πολλοὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐξεληλύθασιν εἰς τὸν κόσμον.

Transliteration

Agapētoi, mē every pneumati pisteuete, but dokimazete the pneumata if from the Theou estin: because many pseudoprophētai exelēlythasin into the kosmon.

Grammar Details

• *Agapētoi*: vocative, masculine, plural - beloved ones
• *mē*: negative particle with imperative - not/do not
• *pneumati*: dative, neuter, singular - spirit/to spirit
• *pisteuete*: present imperative, 2nd plural - believe/trust
• *dokimazete*: present imperative, 2nd plural - test/examine/prove
• *pneumata*: accusative, neuter, plural - spirits
• *estin*: present indicative, 3rd singular - is
• *Theou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of God
• *pseudoprophētai*: nominative, masculine, plural - false prophets
• *exelēlythasin*: perfect active indicative, 3rd plural - have gone out/have come forth
• *kosmon*: accusative, masculine, singular - world/universe/order

Word Meanings

• *Agapētoi*: beloved/dear ones
• *pneumati*: spirit/breath/wind
• *pisteuete*: believe/trust/have faith in
• *dokimazete*: test/examine/prove/discern
• *pneumata*: spirits/breaths/winds
• *exelēlythasin*: have gone out/have departed/have come forth
• *kosmon*: world/universe/ordered system

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Beloved,{G27} believe{G4100} not{G3361} every{G3956} spirit,{G4151} but{G235} prove{G1381} the spirits,{G4151} whether{G1487} they are{G2076} of{G1537} God;{G2316} because{G3754} many{G4183} false prophets{G5578} are gone out{G1831} into{G1519} the world.{G2889}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Beloved{G27}, believe{G4100}{(G5720)} not{G3361} every{G3956} spirit{G4151}, but{G235} try{G1381}{(G5720)} the spirits{G4151} whether{G1487} they are{G2076}{(G5748)} of{G1537} God{G2316}: because{G3754} many{G4183} false prophets{G5578} are gone out{G1831}{(G5758)} into{G1519} the world{G2889}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Ye beloved beleve not every sprete: but prove the spretes whether they are of God or no: for many falce Prophetes are gone out into the worlde.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Dearly beleued, beleue not ye euery sprete, but proue the spretes, whether they be of God. For many false prophetes are gone out in to the worlde.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Dearely beloued, beleeue not euery spirit, but trie the spirits whether they are of God: for many false prophets are gone out into this worlde.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Dearly beloued, beleue not euery spirite: but proue the spirites whether they are of God or not: for many false prophetes are gone out into the worlde.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Beloved, every spirit believe not, but prove the spirits, if of God they are, because many false prophets have gone forth to the world;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Testing the Spirits Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Referenced Verses

• 2 Pet 2:1 : 1 But just as there were false prophets among the people, there will also be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
• 1 John 2:18 : 18 Dear children, it is the last hour. Just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
• 1 Thess 5:21 : 21 Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
• 1 Tim 4:1 : 1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons.
• Luke 12:57 : 57 And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
• 2 John 1:7 : 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world—those who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
• Acts 17:11 : 11 The Bereans were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
• 1 Cor 12:10 : 10 to another, miraculous powers; to another, prophecy; to another, distinguishing between spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
• 1 Cor 14:29 : 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate what is said.
• 2 Tim 3:13 : 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
• Acts 20:29 : 29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
• Rom 16:18-19 : 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 Your obedience has been reported to all. Therefore, I rejoice about you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
• Luke 21:8 : 8 He replied, 'Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am he,” and, “The time is near.” Do not follow them.'
• Deut 13:1-5 : 1 You must carefully follow everything I am commanding you. Do not add to it or take away from it. 2 If a prophet or someone who has dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 3 and the sign or wonder he spoke to you about comes true, saying, 'Let us follow other gods, whom you have not known, and let us worship them,' 4 you must not listen to that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you truly love Him with all your heart and all your soul. 5 You must follow the LORD your God, fear Him, keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
• Prov 14:15 : 15 The simple believe everything, but the prudent carefully consider their steps.
• Jer 5:31 : 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. And My people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
• Jer 29:8-9 : 8 This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Do not let the prophets or diviners among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that you are dreaming. 9 For they are prophesying falsely in my name. I have not sent them, declares the LORD.
• Matt 7:15-16 : 15 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
• Matt 24:4-5 : 4 Jesus answered them, 'Watch out that no one deceives you.' 5 'For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Messiah," and will deceive many.'
• Matt 24:23-26 : 23 At that time, if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you in advance. 26 So if anyone tells you, 'He is in the wilderness,' do not go out; or 'He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.
• Mark 13:21 : 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look, there He is!’ do not believe it.
• Rev 2:2 : 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars.