They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears 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.
- BSB They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to 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 8:23He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
- 2 Pet 2:2–3Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned.
- John 17:14I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
- John 3:31He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
- John 17:16They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
- Rev 12:9The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
- 2 Tim 4:3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
- Ps 17:4As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
- Mic 2:11If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies: “I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink”; he would be the prophet of this people.
- Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?
- John 15:19–20If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
- Isa 30:10–11who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and to the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits.
- Luke 16:8“His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.
- John 7:6–7Jesus therefore said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
- Jer 29:8For Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither listen to your dreams which you 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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