They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.
Parallel translations
- WEB They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.
- KJV They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
- NKJV They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
- NASB They are from the world, therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.
- NLT Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The false teachers belong to the world, speak from its viewpoint, and the world listens to them. Worldly people welcome worldly messages.
Overview
John explains the appeal of the false prophets: they are of the world, so they speak its language, and the world readily receives them. Their popularity reflects shared worldly values, not divine truth. This helps believers understand why error spreads and not to mistake worldly acceptance for divine approval.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- John 8:23Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
- 2 Pet 2:2–3Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.
- John 17:14I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
- John 3:31The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.
- John 17:16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
- Rev 12:9And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
- 2 Tim 4:3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
- Ps 17:4As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
- Mic 2:11If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!
- Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
- John 15:19–20If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
- Isa 30:10–11They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.
- Luke 16:8The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.
- John 7:6–7Therefore Jesus told them, “Although your time is always at hand, My time has not yet come.
- Jer 29:8For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.
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Christ at the center
Jesus is the Word of life made manifest, the propitiation for our sins, the Son in whom is eternal life — 'that you may know that you have eternal life.'
How 1 John 4:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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