They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
Parallel translations
- WEB They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.
- BSB They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to 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 8:23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
- 2 Pet 2:2–3And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
- John 17:14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
- John 3:31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
- John 17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
- Rev 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
- 2 Tim 4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
- Ps 17:4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
- Mic 2:11If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
- Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
- John 15:19–20If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
- Isa 30:10–11Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
- Luke 16:8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
- John 7:6–7Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
- Jer 29:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
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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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