A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 John 4

Beloved (αγαπητο). Three times in this chapter (1,7,11) we have this tender address on love.

Believe not every spirit (μη παντ πνευματ πιστευετε). "Stop believing," as some were clearly carried away by the spirits of error rampant among them, both Docetic and Cerinthian Gnostics. Credulity means gullibility and some believers fall easy victims to the latest fads in spiritualistic humbuggery.

Prove the spirits (δοκιμαζετε τα πνευματα). Put them to the acid test of truth as the metallurgist does his metals. If it stands the test like a coin, it is acceptable (δοκιμος, 2 Corinthians 10:18), otherwise it is rejected (αδοκιμος, 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5–7).

Many false prophets (πολλο ψευδοπροφητα). Jesus had warned people against them (Matthew 7:15), even when they as false Christs work portents (Matthew 24:11,24). It is an old story (Luke 6:26) and recurs again and again (Acts 13:6; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10) along with false teachers (2 Peter 2:1).

Are gone out (εξεληλυθασιν). Perfect active indicative of εξερχομα. Cf. aorist in 2:19. They are abroad always.

Hereby know ye (εν τουτω γινωσκετε). Either present active indicative or imperative. The test of "the Spirit of God" (το πνευμα του θεου) here alone in this Epistle, save verse 13. With the clamour of voices then and now this is important. The test (εν τουτω, as in 3:19) follows.

That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (Ιησουν Χριστον εν σαρκ εληλυθοτα). The correct text (perfect active participle predicate accusative), not the infinitive (εληλυθενα, B Vg). The predicate participle (see Joh 9:22 for predicate accusative with ομολογεω) describes Jesus as already come in the flesh (his actual humanity, not a phantom body as the Docetic Gnostics held). See this same idiom in 2 John 1:7 with ερχομενον (coming). A like test is proposed by Paul for confessing the deity of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:3 and for the Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus in Ro 10:6-10.

Confesseth not (μη ομολογε). Indefinite relative clause with the subjective negative μη rather than the usual objective negative ου (verse 6). It is seen also in 2 Peter 1:9; Titus 1:11, a survival of the literary construction (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 171). The Vulgate (along with Irenaeus, Tertullian, Augustine) reads solvit (λυε) instead of μη ομολογε, which means "separates Jesus," apparently an allusion to the Cerinthian heresy (distinction between Jesus and Christ) as the clause before refers to the Docetic heresy. Many MSS. have here also εν σαρκ εληλυθοτα repeated from preceding clause, but not A B Vg Cop. and not genuine.

The spirit of the antichrist (το του αντιχριστου). Πνευμα (spirit) not expressed, but clearly implied by the neuter singular article to. It is a repetition of the point about antichrists made in 2:18-25.

Whereof (ο). Accusative of person (grammatical neuter referring to πνευμα) with ακουω along with accusative of the thing (οτ ερχετα, as in 2:18, futuristic present middle indicative). Here the perfect active indicative (ακηκοατε), while in 2:18 the aorist (ηκουσατε).

And now already (κα νυν ηδη). As in 2:18 also (many have come). "The prophecy had found fulfilment before the Church had looked for it" (Westcott). It is often so. For ηδη see Joh 4:35; 9:27.

Have overcome them (νενικηκατε αυτους). Perfect active indicative of νικαω, calm confidence of final victory as in 2:13; John 16:33. The reference in αυτους (them) is to the false prophets in 4:1.

Because (οτ). The reason for the victory lies in God, who abides in them (3:20,24; John 14:20; 15:4f.). God is greater than Satan, "he that is in the world" (ο εν τω κοσμω), the prince of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30), the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4), powerful as he seems.

Of the world (εκ του κοσμου). As Jesus is not and as the disciples are not (John 17:14ff.).

As of the world (εκ του κοσμου). No "as" (ως), but that is the idea, for their talk proceeds from the world and wins a ready hearing. The false prophets and the world are in perfect unison.