In a style typical of the Elder, a subject introduced at the end of the previous section (the Spirit, 3:24) becomes the main issue at the beginning of the next. Throughout 4:1–6 the Elder is concerned to help his readers correctly discern truth from error (4:6b) and true prophetic speaking (4:2) from false (4:1a, 3). This effort is part of the writer’s larger project to strengthen the Johannine Christians and to assure them of their right standing with God (4:4, 6) in the face of the continuing attacks on his community by the secessionists (2:19; 4:3; 2 John 7–11).

4:1 For the fourth time in 1 John, the Elder addresses his readers as Dear friends (agapētoi; 2:7; 3:2, 21; cf. 4:7, 11; 3 John 1, 2, 5, 11). It is out of his deep love for them that he writes to warn and encourage them.

Two c…