Paragraph 4:4–6
Read 4:4–6 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.
Paragraph Theme: Since John has just given his readers a warning, he now reassures them that they have the Holy Spirit in them, and so they will know who is truly speaking messages from the Holy Spirit.
4:4a
from God: (Meaning) The Greek phrase used here is the same as that used in 3:10a and other places meaning “children/people of God.”
4:4b
have overcome them: (Metaphor) This does not refer to a physical conflict. John is talking about how the Christians were not persuaded when these other people tried to convince them to accept their false teaching. They had been able to answer all the arguments of the false prophets.
them: (Pronoun Reference) This refers to the false prophets. It is clear from the whole book that they are the same people as the “enemies of Christ” (Good News Translation) mentioned in 2:18–19. As the last reference to them was in 4:1, many translations refer to them here with a noun phrase meaning “false prophets.”
4:4c
greater is: (Lexical Problem) It is clear from the rest of this verse that this means greater in respect to power and authority. See Good News Translation, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Living Bible.
He who is in you: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two interpretations of who this refers to:
(1) It probably means the Holy Spirit (see Good News Translation), since the Holy Spirit is in focus in this passage.
(2) Some think it means Christ, or God.
he who is in the world: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two interpretations of who this refers to:
(1) It probably refers to the spirit and power of the antichrist as mentioned in 4:3 (Good News Translation). See the note on 4:3b.
(2) Some think it refers to Satan, or to the antichrist himself (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English).
the world: (Multiple Senses) This is used here in the sense of “the people of the world who do not know God.”
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