Chapter
1 2 3 4 5
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1 John 4:4
ESV Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
NIV You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
NASB You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
CSB You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
NLT But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
KJV Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

What does 1 John 4:4 mean?

After speaking about false teachers in verses 1 through 3, John offers reassurance. He refers to his readers as "little children," using the same Greek phrasing he did in 1 John 2:12. He then offers three words of comfort concerning their lives.

First, John encourages them, "you are from God." In other words, John saw them as true believers in whom God lived.

Second, he adds that these believers have "overcome" these antichrists. John uses the concept of overcoming five other times in his letter. Believers have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:13, 14) and have overcome the world (1 John 5:4–5).

Third, John reminds the reader that the power of Christ, who lives in the believer, is greater than the power of the world. The Holy Spirit living in the Christian is far stronger than any attack by the Devil. This encouragement should empower believers not to fear Satan, but rather trust the Lord and obey His commands. By doing so, we can overcome the powers of darkness and walk with boldness in this life.
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