1 John 4 13

1 John 4:13 kjv

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

1 John 4:13 nkjv

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

1 John 4:13 niv

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.

1 John 4:13 esv

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

1 John 4:13 nlt

And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

1 John 4 verses

1 John 4 13 Meaning

This verse clarifies the basis for believers' assurance and experiential knowledge of their reciprocal relationship with God. It states that our knowing that we abide in Him and He in us is because He has sovereignly bestowed a portion of His Holy Spirit upon us. The indwelling Spirit serves as the divine guarantee, witness, and source of this deep communion, confirming our true union with God and acting as evidence of a genuine relationship with Him.

1 John 4 13 Context

1 John 4:13 is nestled within a chapter intensely focused on the discernment of spirits, the nature of God's love, and the evidence of genuine Christian faith. Prior to this verse, John instructs his readers to "test the spirits" (1 Jn 4:1-6), contrasting those who confess Jesus Christ having come in the flesh with those who deny it, labeling the latter as spirits of antichrist. This directly addresses prevalent Gnostic or Docetic tendencies of the time which denied the true humanity of Christ. Immediately following this discernment test, John shifts to God's love (1 Jn 4:7-12), emphasizing that "God is love" and that love among believers is an essential manifestation of God dwelling in them and knowing God. Verse 13 then acts as a crucial bridge and an evidentiary statement: the Spirit is the tangible proof that God's love is genuinely at work in believers, thus confirming the reality of both the mutual indwelling and the capacity for love and truth that distinguishes true believers from false teachers. It reaffirms that the presence of the Holy Spirit, which empowers love and confession of truth (mentioned in 1 Jn 4:2, 7), is the undeniable indicator of being in a right relationship with God.

1 John 4 13 Word analysis

• By this (ἐν τούτῳ – en toutō): This phrase acts as a key indicator, pointing to what immediately follows as the proof or means of knowledge. In context, it primarily refers to God having "given us of His Spirit" (the Spirit being the ultimate proof), but also implies the effects of the Spirit, particularly the resultant love discussed earlier (1 Jn 4:7-12) and the ability to confess truth (1 Jn 4:2). It provides the means for discernment and assurance.

• we know (γινώσκομεν – ginōskomen): From the verb ginōskō, signifying not merely intellectual apprehension but an experiential, relational, and progressive knowledge. It implies an ongoing, confident certainty that comes through personal experience with God, authenticated by the Spirit, leading to assurance of salvation and communion.

• that we abide (ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ μένομεν – hoti en autō menomen): The Greek verb menō means "to remain," "to dwell," or "to continue." It denotes a continuous, deep, and intimate spiritual union or communion, not a temporary state. The active voice ("we abide") emphasizes the believer's sustained participation in this relationship.

• in Him (ἐν αὐτῷ – en autō): Points to Christ and, by extension, God the Father, representing the sphere and source of the believer's spiritual life.

• and He in us (καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν – kai autos en hēmin): This is the crucial aspect of mutual indwelling. It signifies that the divine presence resides within the believer, establishing an intimate and reciprocal union. It is a shared, ongoing relationship where Christ's life and nature permeate the believer's being.

• because He has given (ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ δέδωκεν – hoti ek tou pneumatos autou dedōken): Dedōken is the perfect active indicative of didōmi ("to give"), emphasizing a completed action with continuing results. The gift of the Spirit is a decisive, divine act that is now a present reality in the believer's life. "Because" introduces the grounds for the "knowing."

• us of His Spirit (ἡμῖν – hēmin + ἐκ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ – ek tou pneumatos autou): "Of His Spirit" indicates not the totality of the Spirit (as if only a portion is given) but rather that it is from the Spirit's own essence or being. It signifies the Holy Spirit Himself being given to us, serving as the indwelling divine presence and the concrete evidence of our union with God. The Spirit acts as the direct, tangible sign and empowerer of the spiritual reality of abiding.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "By this we know": This phrase introduces the divine attestation that undergirds assurance. It's the mechanism by which believers can be sure of their relationship with God, an experiential understanding.
  • "we abide in Him, and He in us": This dual-directional statement highlights the reciprocal and intimate nature of the divine-human relationship. It's a mutual dwelling, emphasizing shared life, identity, and communion, a key concept throughout John's writings. This "abiding" is not passive but implies an active dwelling and obedience as also indicated elsewhere in 1 John.
  • "because He has given us of His Spirit": This is the cornerstone of the verse, identifying the Holy Spirit as the direct, active, and tangible cause and evidence of the mutual indwelling. The giving of the Spirit is God's concrete action demonstrating and enabling this profound union. The Spirit's presence acts as God's seal, guaranteeing the relationship.

1 John 4 13 Bonus section

The concept of "abiding" (menō) is central to John's theology, particularly in the Gospel of John (Jn 15:1-10) and 1 John. It denotes more than just belief; it signifies a continuous, intimate, and living union. 1 John 4:13 reinforces that this active communion is not merely a command to be obeyed but a divine enablement facilitated by the Spirit. The Spirit makes genuine, fruit-bearing abiding possible. The contrast between spirits of error and the Spirit of God throughout 1 John 4 further emphasizes that the genuine reception of God's Spirit is inseparable from upholding true doctrine about Christ's person and acting in divine love. The Spirit is God's living pledge that one is truly born of God and therefore partakes in God's nature.

1 John 4 13 Commentary

1 John 4:13 provides a profound yet concise statement on the foundational evidence for a believer's assurance: the indwelling Holy Spirit. It stands as a theological anchor against the uncertainties posed by false teachings and a lack of understanding regarding one's true spiritual state. John asserts that the very presence of the Spirit in a believer's life is God's own testimony to the reality of His reciprocal relationship with them. This isn't based on human effort or subjective feeling, but on the divine act of "giving His Spirit."

The Spirit's presence empowers and produces the characteristics of a genuine faith, such as love (as highlighted in 1 John 4:7-12) and the correct confession of Jesus Christ (1 John 4:2). Therefore, the indwelling Spirit functions as both the proof and the enabler of authentic Christian life and a deep, continuous communion with God. It validates the theological claim of mutual indwelling ("we abide in Him, and He in us") by providing an experiential reality within the believer. The Spirit's active presence is a spiritual witness that surpasses intellectual knowledge alone, moving into the realm of assurance and knowing God intimately. It is God Himself in us, validating our connection to Him.

Practical usage examples:

• When a believer experiences deep love for others, they can attribute this God-like love to the indwelling Spirit, which then serves as a confirmation of God's presence and abiding in them.
• In times of doubt regarding one's salvation, recalling the Spirit's internal witness—manifested in conviction of sin, desire for righteousness, or simply the ability to cry "Abba, Father"—can bring renewed assurance based on this divine gift.
• Recognizing the Spirit's power to discern truth from error (as highlighted in the broader context of 1 John 4) serves as a practical application of "we know... because He has given us of His Spirit."