1 John 4:1

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.

📖 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 there were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
• 1 John 2:18 : 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
• 1 Thess 5:21 : 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
• 1 Tim 4:1 : 1 Now the Spirit speaks clearly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits, and doctrines of demons;
• Luke 12:57 : 57 Yes, and why even of yourselves do you not judge what is right?
• 2 John 1:7 : 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
• Acts 17:11 : 11 These were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
• 1 Cor 12:10 : 10 To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
• 1 Cor 14:29 : 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.
• 2 Tim 3:13 : 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
• Acts 20:29 : 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
• Rom 16:18-19 : 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites; and by smooth talk and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocent. 19 For your obedience is known to all, and I am glad on your behalf. But I would have you wise in what is good, and innocent concerning evil.
• Luke 21:8 : 8 And he said, Take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and the time draws near: do not go after them.
• Deut 13:1-5 : 1 If there arises among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them; 3 You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God tests you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and hold fast to him. 5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he has spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to push you out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to walk in. So you shall put away the evil from among you.
• Prov 14:15 : 15 The simple believes every word, but the prudent man considers his steps carefully.
• Jer 5:31 : 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will you do in the end thereof?
• Jer 29:8-9 : 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners, who are among you, deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in my name: I have not sent them, says 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 know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
• Matt 24:4-5 : 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many.
• Matt 24:23-26 : 23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is Christ, or there, do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore if they say to you, Look, he is in the desert, do not go out; or, Look, he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it.
• Mark 13:21 : 21 And then if anyone says to you, Look, here is Christ; or, Look, he is there; do not believe it:
• Rev 2:2 : 2 I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil; and you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;