Commentary on 1 John 4:15 in the New King James Version

The Passage

1 John 4:15 (NKJV): “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”

Context and Exegesis

1 John 4:15 serves as a pivotal text, anchoring the believer’s confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This acknowledgment is not a mere intellectual assent but a profound, heartfelt declaration of faith. The passage underscores two core principles:

 

Confession and Abiding: The verse succinctly links confession with divine indwelling. To confess Jesus as the Son of God is to affirm the truth of the incarnation and the unique sonship of Christ. This confession signifies a relationship with God wherein the believer abides in God and God in the believer, echoing the mutual indwelling described in John 15:4–5. This notion aligns closely with the emphasis on union with Christ, a fundamental tenet that underscores the believer’s life being hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Trinitarian Theology: The passage highlights a key aspect of Trinitarian theology, wherein acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God affirms the relational dynamics within the Godhead. This is a reaffirmation of the doctrine of the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-eternal. This theological understanding forms the bedrock of worship, sacraments, and soteriology (study of salvation).

Application to Modern Christian Living

The contemporary application of 1 John 4:15 involves several facets:

Public Confession of Faith: Believers are encouraged to openly profess their faith in Jesus Christ. This public confession is seen in baptism, corporate worship, and personal evangelism. It is a declaration that shapes identity and community, fostering a sense of belonging within the body of Christ.

Assurance of Salvation: The assurance that God abides in those who confess Jesus as the Son of God provides a profound sense of security and peace. The doctrines of election and perseverance of the saints, see this assurance as a divine guarantee that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39).

Ethical Living and Love: The broader context of 1 John 4 emphasises love as the hallmark of the Christian life. The confession of Jesus as the Son of God is inherently linked with living a life characterised by love for God and neighbour. This is a practical outworking of faith, as seen in the call to love one another because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Bibliography

• The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). Bible Gateway.
• Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
• Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. Monergism.
• Packer, J.I. Knowing God. InterVarsity Press, 1973.
• Murray, John. Redemption Accomplished and Applied. Eerdmans, 1955.
• Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan, 1994.
• The Westminster Confession of Faith. Westminster Assembly Project.

Teaching from 1 John 4:15

In summary, the teaching from 1 John 4:15 revolves around the confession of Jesus as the Son of God and the resulting indwelling of God in the believer. This indwelling fosters assurance, ethical living, and an emphasis on love, resonating with the doctrines of union with Christ and Trinitarian theology. It’s a passage that continues to be deeply relevant for modern Christian living, guiding both personal faith and communal practices within Christianity.