1 John 4:13

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 John 4:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1 John 4:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 John 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, &c.] That there is a communion between God and us, and a communication of his love and grace to us, and an exercise of grace upon him; for God dwells in his people by his Spirit and grace, and they dwell in him by the exercise of faith and love upon him: and this is known, because he hath given us of his Spirit: not of the essence and nature of the Spirit, which is the same with the nature of the Father and of the Son, and is incommunicable; but either of the gifts of the Spirit, which are divided to every man as he pleases, and which being bestowed on men, and used by them, for the profit and advantage of the church of God, show that God is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hereby--"Herein." The token vouchsafed to us of God's dwelling (Greek, "abide") in us, though we see Him not, is this, that He hath given us "of His Spirit" (Jo1 3:24). Where the Spirit of God is, there God is. ONE Spirit dwells in the Church: each believer receives a measure "of" that Spirit in the proportion God thinks fit. Love is His first-fruit (Gal 5:22). In Jesus alone the Spirit dwelt without measure (Joh 3:34).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hereby know we that we dwell in him - Here is another, or an additional evidence of it. Because he hath given us of his Spirit - He has imparted the influences of that Spirit to our souls, producing “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” etc., Galatians 5:22-23. It was one of the promises which the Lord Jesus made to his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them after he should be withdrawn from them, John 14:16-17, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7, and one of the clearest evidences which we can have that we are the children of God, is derived from the influences of that Spirit on our hearts. See this sentiment illustrated in the notes at Romans…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jo1 4:15, Jo1 4:16, Jo1 3:24; Joh 14:20-26; Rom 8:9-17; Co1 2:12, Co1 3:16, Co1 3:17, Co1 6:19; Gal 5:22-25; Eph 2:20-22 1 John 4:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification