-
Greek Lessons
- The Question of Eternal Life: Syntax of Testing and Inquiry in Luke 10:25
- The Grammar of Astonishment and Difficulty
- The Urgency of Flight: Syntax, Eschatology, and the Grammar of Mission in Matthew 10:23
- Provoking the Lord: The Peril of Presumption
- The Great Priest Over God’s House: The Foundation of Confident Access
-
Category
Tag Archives: 1 John 4:1
Not All That Speaks Is Spirit-Breathed: Discernment in a World of Voices
Ἀγαπητοί, μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε, ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐξεληλύθασιν εἰς τὸν κόσμον. (1 John 4:1)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The Weight of the First ImperativeThe verse opens with the tender address Ἀγαπητοί, grounding the exhortation in affection rather than reprimand. This word, often translated as “beloved,” carries a rich connotation of covenantal love and pastoral care. It sets the tone for the warning that follows, not as a stern rebuke but as a loving safeguard.… Learn Koine Greek
Testing the Spirits: Discernment and False Prophets in 1 John 4:1
Ἀγαπητοί, μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε, ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐξεληλύθασιν εἰς τὸν κόσμον
1 John 4:1 steps into the tension between faith and discernment. The call is urgent and pastoral: don’t trust every spirit. This isn’t just about skepticism—it’s about spiritual vigilance. The Greek packs rhetorical rhythm and doctrinal weight into a series of imperatives and perfect verbs. The author doesn’t simply warn—he equips.
Grammatical FoundationsThe first imperative is negative: μὴ πιστεύετε—“do not believe.” It’s a present active imperative in the second person plural, implying ongoing rejection: stop believing every spirit indiscriminately.… Learn Koine Greek
