1 John 4:6

“We are of God, &c.] Not only as the chosen of God, the children of God, regenerated ones, and believers, but as ministers of the Gospel; they were chosen, and called, and sent of God to preach the Gospel, and were qualified for it, by gifts received from him, and had their doctrine from him, as well as their commission and mission: they were not of the world, and therefore did not speak of the world, nor things suited to worldly men; but being of God, they spoke the words of God, which were agreeable to him, which made for the glory of the three divine Persons, and were consistent with the divine perfections; which maintained the honour and dignity of the persons in the Godhead; which…”

“We--true teachers of Christ: in contrast to them. are of God--and therefore speak of God: in contrast to "speak they of the world," Jo1 4:5. knoweth God--as his Father, being a child "of God" (Jo1 2:13-14). heareth us--Compare Joh 18:37, "Every one that is of the truth, heareth My voice." Hereby-- (Jo1 4:2-6); by their confessing, or not confessing, Jesus; by the kind of reception given them respectively by those who know God, and by those who are of the world and not of God. spirit of truth--the Spirit which comes from God and teaches truth. spirit of error--the spirit which comes from Satan and seduces into error.”

“We are of God - John here, doubtless, refers to himself, and to those who taught the same doctrines which he did. He takes it for granted that those to whom he wrote would admit this, and argues from it as an indisputable truth. He had given them such evidence of this, as to establish his character and claims beyond a doubt; and he often refers to the fact that he was what he claimed to be, as a point which was so well established that no one would call it in question. See John 19:35; John 21:24; 3 John 1:12. Paul, also, not unfrequently refers to the same thing respecting himself; to the fact - a fact which no one would presume to call in question, and which might be regarded as the basis…”

“We - Apostles. Are of God - Immediately taught, and sent by him. Hereby we know - From what is said, Jo1 4:2-6. 1 John 4:7”

“4:6 John tests the reality of a person’s Christianity by whether they listen to and agree with the teachings of the apostles. • The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-15), who teaches the truth about Christ (1 Jn 2:20, 27). • False prophets have the spirit of deception, the spirit of antichrist, which leads people away from Christ (see study note on 2:22). Therefore, union with the historic body of Christ and the consensus of teaching that began with the apostles is a sign of fidelity to Christ’s work in the world.”

“We are: Jo1 4:4; Mic 3:8; Rom 1:1; Co1 2:12-14; Pe2 3:2; Jde 1:17 he that knoweth: Jo1 4:8; Luk 10:22; Joh 8:19, Joh 8:45-50, Joh 10:27, Joh 13:20, Joh 18:37, Joh 20:21; Co1 14:37; Co2 10:7; Th2 1:8 Hereby: Jo1 4:1; Isa 8:20 the spirit of truth: Joh 14:17, Joh 15:26 and: Isa 29:10; Hos 4:12; Mic 2:11; Rom 11:8; Th2 2:9-11 1 John 4:7”