Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 4:5

"They are of the world: therefore speak they [as] of the world, and the world heareth them." — 1 John 4:5 (ASV)

In contrast to the “dear children” who “are from God” are the false teachers who “are from the world.” The false teachers are successful “in the world” because their thinking is accommodated to the world’s beliefs. Naturally the world hears such teachers gladly. The term “world” (GK 3180) is probably to be understood in two ways: as a system of thought antithetical to Christian belief and as a description of those members of the community who were led astray by the false teachers. That some members of the community were easily persuaded to forsake the truth of the Gospel should not bewilder the faithful. Although these members appeared to belong to the community, their willingness to hear and follow the false teachers showed their true colors.