1 John 4:6

King James Version (KJV)

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

We are of God - We, apostles, have the Spirit of God, and speak and teach by that Spirit. He that knoweth God - who has a truly spiritual discernment, heareth us - acknowledges that our doctrine is from God; that it is spiritual, and leads from earth to heaven.

Hereby know we the Spirit of truth - The doctrine and teacher most prized and followed by worldly men, and by the gay, giddy, and garish multitude, are not from God; they savor of the flesh, lay on no restraints, prescribe no cross-bearing, and leave every one in full possession of his heart's lusts and easily besetting sins. And by this, false doctrine and false teachers are easily discerned.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

We are of God - John here, doubtless, refers to himself, and to those who taught the same doctrines which he did. He takes it for granted that those to whom he wrote would admit this, and argues from it as an indisputable truth. He had given them such evidence of this, as to establish his character and claims beyond a doubt; and he often refers to the fact that he was what he claimed to be, as a point which was so well established that no one would call it in question. See John 19:35; John 21:24; 3 John 1:12. Paul, also, not unfrequently refers to the same thing respecting himself; to the fact - a fact which no one would presume to call in question, and which might be regarded as the basis of an argument - that he and his fellow apostles were what they claimed to be. See 1 Corinthians 15:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-11. Might not, and ought not, all Christians, and all Christian ministers, so to live that the same thing might be assumed in regard to them in their contact with their fellow-men; that their characters for integrity and purity might be so clear that no one would be disposed to call them in question? There are such men in the church and in the ministry now; why might not all be such?

He that knoweth God, heareth us - Every one that has a true acquaintance with the character of God will receive our doctrine. John might assume this, for it was not doubted, he presumed, that he was an apostle and a good man; and if this were admitted, it would follow that those who feared and loved God would receive what he taught.

Hereby - By this; to wit, by the manner in which they receive the doctrines which we have taught.

Know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error - We can distinguish those who embrace the truth from those who do not. Whatever pretensions they might set up for piety, it was clear that if they did not embrace the doctrines taught by the true apostles of God, they could not be regarded as his friends; that is, as true Christians. It may be added that the same test is applicable now. They who do not receive the plain doctrines laid down in the word of God, whatever pretensions they may make to piety, or whatever zeal they may evince in the cause which they have espoused, can have no well-founded claims to the name Christian. One of the clearest evidences of true piety is a readiness to receive all that God has taught. Compare Matthew 18:1-3; Mark 10:15; James 1:19-21.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Christians who are well acquainted with the Scriptures, may, in humble dependence on Divine teaching, discern those who set forth doctrines according to the apostles, and those who contradict them. The sum of revealed religion is in the doctrine concerning Christ, his person and office. The false teachers spake of the world according to its maxims and tastes, so as not to offend carnal men. The world approved them, they made rapid progress, and had many followers such as themselves; the world will love its own, and its own will love it. The true doctrine as to the Saviour's person, as leading men from the world to God, is a mark of the spirit of truth in opposition to the spirit of error. The more pure and holy any doctrine is, the more likely to be of God; nor can we by any other rules try the spirits whether they are of God or not. And what wonder is it, that people of a worldly spirit should cleave to those who are like themselves, and suit their schemes and discourses to their corrupt taste?

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

6. We. That is, the apostles or their associates, in contrast with the “ye” (v. 4) and “they” (v. 5). The pronoun is emphatic as are “ye” and “they” in vs. 4, 5. Having already said that the believers are “of God” (v. 4), he is making no exaggerated claim when he applies the same description to himself and his colleagues.

He that knoweth God. This description corresponds to “he that is of God,” but emphasizes the aspect of a personal acquaintance with God.

Heareth us. There is natural harmony between the teachers who “are of God” and those who know God. The listeners will eagerly hear the instruction that comes from those who already have intimate acquaintance with the Father. In reminding his readers of this truth, John is also recording a test of the genuineness of Christian profession—those who know God will attentively hear His true messengers.

Is not of God. See on v. 3.

Heareth not us. If a man has resisted the convicting power of the Spirit, he is unlikely to listen to a servant of God. If the resistance is conscious and determined, such people will often not even allow God’s servant to talk to them, but will repulse them as they have repelled the Spirit. Hence, there is little that can be directly done for them (see on 1 Cor. 2:14). But there are many who have been deceived into resisting truth without knowing the seriousness of what they were doing. The sophistries of Satan have so clouded their judgment that the truth of God seems an idle tale. For them much can be done. The demonstration of the results of Christian beliefs in the lives of those who are “of God” will often arouse an interest. Especially does the quiet confidence of the truly converted appeal to those who realize the hopelessness of the future outlined by the world’s wisest men.

Hereby. Literally, “out of this.” It appears preferable to refer this “hereby” to the contents of v. 6 rather than apply it to vs. 4-6, although the stated test may be applied in the wider context without distorting John’s meaning. The nature of the spirit that controls a man may be discerned by the way he reacts to the teachings of God’s accredited servants.

Know we. This may refer to the apostolic teachers (see above under “we”) or to the readers, or to both groups.

Spirit of truth. Many believe this refers to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God (cf. v. 2; cf. on John 14:17), since John in this chapter is dealing with the opposing spirits (vs. 1-3). The Holy Spirit is the source of the believers’ impulse to seek truth. It is by comparison with the truths they have already been taught by that Spirit that believers can recognize the right. The sheep recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd in the words of those whom the Shepherd has sent to them (John 10:27).

Others believe that “spirit of truth” refers more generally to the inward attitude motivating those who preach the truth (cf. on Rom. 8:15).

Spirit. If the phrase “spirit of error” be taken as the antithesis of “spirit of truth,” then the “spirit of error” may be regarded as the spirit of Satan, or the spirit of antichrist, or the attitude of those propagating error (cf. on Rom. 8:15).

Error. Gr. planÄ“, “wandering” (see on Matt. 18:12). It is possible to err through ignorance, but the spirit of error is deliberately seeking to make men wander from the path of truth.

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Ellen G. White
Faith and Works, 48.1

We are to do all that we can do on our part to fight the good fight of faith. We are to wrestle, to labor, to strive, to agonize to enter in at the strait gate. We are to set the Lord ever before us. With clean hands, with pure hearts, we are to seek to honor God in all our ways. Help has been provided for us in Him who is mighty to save. The spirit of truth and light will quicken and renew us by its mysterious workings; for all our spiritual improvement comes from God, not from ourselves. The true worker will have divine power to aid him, but the idler will not be sustained by the Spirit of God. FW 48.1

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Ellen G. White
A New Life (Revival and Beyond), 35.2

If we are to have pardon for our sins, we must first have a realization of what sin is, that we may repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. We must have a solid foundation for our faith; it must be founded on the Word of God, and its results will be seen in obedience to God's expressed will. Says the apostle, “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” NL 36.2

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Ellen G. White
Reflecting Christ, 218.8

The enemy will present his sophistries, with little fibers that would take hold of your experience and undermine your faith. I pray that your eyes may be anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, that you may discern what is truth and what is error. We need to put on the white garments of Christ's righteousness. We need to walk and talk with God.—Manuscript 66, 1905. RC 218.8

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Ellen G. White
This Day With God, 217.5

Just as soon as you begin to think you are big men, and that you are so large that you can comprehend and pick out all that is precious in infidel authors, and leave out all that is vile, then you are wise above that which is written.... The devil is right by your side, and the evil angels are there. The devil is a great deal smarter than you are, and you cannot see what he is driving at. He will so cunningly interweave his sentiments with the thoughts of these writers, that it will be impossible to distinguish the error which they contain.... TDG 217.5

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Cross References

We are