1 John 4:15

Commentary on 1 John 4:15

King James Version:
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

1. Setting the Scene: The Flow of 1 John 4

The Apostle John writes to a community facing confusion, competing spiritual claims, and the early forms of what would later be called Gnosticism. His pastoral aim is to give believers assurance, clarity, and confidence in the truth of the gospel.

A key theme of 1 John 4[i] is discerning the Spirit of God from the spirit of error. John anchors this discernment in the confession of Jesus Christ and the lived reality of God’s love.

A few surrounding verses help frame verse 15:

1 John 4:2 (KJV):
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”

1 John 4:7 (KJV):
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

1 John 4:13 (KJV):
“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

1 John 4:16 (KJV):
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Verse 15 sits at the intersection of doctrinal confession and relational communion with God.

2. Exegetical Insights into 1 John 4:15

✦ “Whosoever[ii] shall confess…”

The verb “confess” in John’s usage means more than intellectual agreement. It is a public, heartfelt, Spirit-enabled declaration. It involves allegiance, trust, and a willingness to stand with Christ even when costly.

John is not describing a mere formula of words but a confession that flows from genuine faith.

✦ “…that Jesus is the Son of God…”

This is the heart of Christian doctrine. To confess Jesus as the Son of God is to affirm:

• His full divinity
• His eternal relationship with the Father
• His incarnation as the Christ
• His unique role as Saviour and Lord

This confession counters any teaching that reduces Jesus to a mere spiritual messenger or denies His incarnation.

✦ “…God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

This is covenantal, relational language. John describes a mutual indwelling:

• God takes up residence in the believer
• The believer abides in God

This echoes Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of John about abiding in Him. It is not mystical absorption but a real, personal communion grounded in the work of the Holy Spirit.

This mutual indwelling is the foundation for assurance, love, obedience, and perseverance.

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3. Theological Teaching

1. The Confession of Christ Is the Mark of True Faith

Christian theology emphasises that saving faith includes knowledge, assent, and trust. John’s language aligns with this: the confession is not empty words but the fruit of regeneration.

2. The Holy Spirit Enables the Confession

John has already said:

1 John 4:2 (KJV):
“Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”

The confession is evidence of the Spirit’s work. It is not human achievement but divine grace.

3. Union with God Is the Gift of the Gospel

“God dwelleth in him, and he in God” reflects the Christian doctrine of union with Christ. This union:

• Is initiated by God
• Is maintained by God
• Produces transformation in the believer

4. Love and Doctrine Are Inseparable

John never separates right belief from right living. The confession of Christ leads to a life shaped by God’s love.

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4. Application to Modern Christian Living

✦ 1. Hold Fast to the Confession

In a culture that often prefers vague spirituality over concrete truth, Christians are called to confess Jesus clearly and joyfully. This includes:

• Speaking of Christ openly
• Holding to biblical truth even when unpopular
• Letting our confession shape our identity

✦ 2. Rest in the Assurance of God’s Presence

Many believers struggle with doubt or feelings of distance from God. John offers a simple but profound assurance: if you confess Jesus as the Son of God, God dwells in you.

This is not based on emotional experience but on God’s promise.

✦ 3. Live Out the Love of God

Since God dwells in us, His love should flow through us. This means:

• Showing patience and kindness
• Forgiving others
• Serving without seeking recognition
• Loving even when it is difficult

✦ 4. Discern the Spirits

John’s community faced false teaching; so do we. The confession of Jesus as the Son of God remains the central test of truth.

Evaluate teaching, spiritual claims, and even your own thoughts by this standard.

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5. Meditation Guide

Reflective Reading

Read 1 John 4 slowly, pausing at verses 2, 7, 13, 15, and 16. Let the flow of John’s argument settle in your heart.

1 John 4:2 (KJV):
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”

1 John 4:7 (KJV):
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

1 John 4:13 (KJV):
“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

1 John 4:15 (KJV):
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

1 John 4:16 (KJV):
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Questions for Meditation

• Do I confess Jesus as the Son of God with clarity and conviction?
• How does this confession shape my daily life?
• Where do I need to rest more deeply in the assurance that God dwells in me?
• How is God calling me to express His love today?

Prayer

“Father, thank you that through Jesus Christ I am brought into fellowship with you. Strengthen my confession, deepen my love, and help me to abide in you as you abide in me. Let your Spirit bear fruit in my life for your glory.”

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[i] 1 John 4

King James Version

4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 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.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

[ii] In the King James Version, the word “whosoever” is an older English way of saying “anyone” or “whoever.” It is deliberately broad and inclusive.