1 John 4:3
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.
1 John 4:3 · King James Version
Meaning
Within this verse, the emphasis lies on the importance of acknowledging and confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This declaration of faith is seen as a crucial aspect of being aligned with God's truth. The verse warns that any spirit that does not acknowledge this truth is not of God, and is instead associated with the spirit of antichrist. The mention of the spirit of antichrist serves as a reminder of the presence of opposing forces to God's truth in the world. It highlights the need for believers to discern and uphold the fundamental belief in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. By acknowledging the true nature of Jesus Christ's incarnation, believers align themselves with God's divine plan and reject the deceptive influences of the spirit of antichrist. This verse serves as a call to remain steadfast in faith and vigilant against any teachings or beliefs that seek to distort or deny the reality of Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh.
Theological Overview
This verse from 1 John 4:3 is a crucial one in understanding the concept of the spirit of antichrist. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the importance of confessing that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This confession is essential in affirming one's belief in the incarnation of Jesus, which is a foundational Christian doctrine. The refusal to acknowledge this truth is seen as a manifestation of the spirit of antichrist, which opposes the teachings of Christ and seeks to deceive believers. The mention of the spirit of antichrist serves as a warning to beware of false teachings that deny the deity of Jesus Christ. This verse also suggests that the influence of the antichrist is already present in the world, underscoring the ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of light and darkness. By examining the word "antichrist" in this context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the deceptive nature of ideologies that undermine the divinity of Jesus Christ.
1 John 4:3 in other translations
American Standard Version
and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
World English Bible
and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.
Douay-Rheims
And every spirit that dissolveth Jesus is not of God. And this is Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he cometh: and he is now already in the world.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And euery spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: but this is the spirit of Antichrist, of whome ye haue heard, how that he should come, and nowe already he is in this world.