1 John 4:1

Ἀγαπητοί μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν ὅτι πολλοὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐξεληλύθασιν εἰς τὸν κόσμον
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Word Reference
Original Word Definitions
Ἀγαπητοί
G27 A-VPM
agapētos
beloved
  • beloved, esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love
μὴ
G3361 PRT-N
mē
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
  • no, not lest
παντὶ
G3956 A-DSN
pas
all, any, every, the whole
  • individually
    • each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
    collectively
    • some of all types
πνεύματι
G4151 N-DSN
pneuma
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
  • a movement of air (a gentle blast
    • of the wind, hence the wind itself
      • "breath of nostrils or mouth
    the spirit, i.e., the vital principal by which the body is animated
    • the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
      • "the soul
    a spirit, i.e., a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting
    • a life giving spirit
      • "a human soul that has left the body"a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e., an angel
      • used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men
        • "the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ
    of God
    • God's power and agency distinguishable in thought from his essence in itself considered
      • manifest in the course of affairs
        • "by its influence upon the souls productive in the theocratic body (the church) of all the higher spiritual gifts and blessings"the third person of the trinity, the God the Holy Spirit
    the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one
    • the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.
πιστεύετε
G4100 V-PAM-2P
pisteuō
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)
  • to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
    • of the thing believed
      • to credit, have confidence
      in a moral or religious reference
      • used in the New Testament of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
        • "to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
    to entrust a thing to one, i.e., his fidelity
    • to be entrusted with a thing
ἀλλὰ
G235 CONJ
alla
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
  • but
    • nevertheless, notwithstanding
      • "an objection"an exception"a restriction"nay, rather, yea, moreover"forms a transition to the cardinal matter
δοκιμάζετε
G1381 V-PAM-2P
dokimazō
to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve
  • to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
    • "to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
τὰ
G3588 T-APN
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
πνεύματα
G4151 N-APN
pneuma
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
  • a movement of air (a gentle blast
    • of the wind, hence the wind itself
      • "breath of nostrils or mouth
    the spirit, i.e., the vital principal by which the body is animated
    • the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
      • "the soul
    a spirit, i.e., a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting
    • a life giving spirit
      • "a human soul that has left the body"a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e., an angel
      • used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men
        • "the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ
    of God
    • God's power and agency distinguishable in thought from his essence in itself considered
      • manifest in the course of affairs
        • "by its influence upon the souls productive in the theocratic body (the church) of all the higher spiritual gifts and blessings"the third person of the trinity, the God the Holy Spirit
    the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one
    • the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.
εἰ
G1487 PRT
ei
if, whether, that, etc
  • if, whether
ἐκ
G1537 PREP
ek
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct or remote)
  • out of, from, by, away from
τοῦ
G3588 T-GSM
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
Θεοῦ
G2316
theos
a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by Hebraism)
  • a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
    • "the Godhead, trinity
    • God the Father, the first person in the trinity
      • "Christ, the second person of the trinity"Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity
    spoken of the only and true God
    • refers to the things of God
      • "his counsels, interests, things due to him
    whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
    • God's representative or viceregent
      • of magistrates and judges
ἐστιν
G2076
esti
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
  • third person singular of ___%___to be___%___
ὅτι
G3754 CONJ
hoti
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
  • that, because, since
πολλοὶ
G4183 A-NPM
polys
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
  • many, much, large
ψευδοπροφῆται
G5578 N-NPM
pseudoprophētēs
a spurious prophet, i.e., pretended foreteller or religious impostor
  • one who, acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet, utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies
    • "a false prophet
ἐξεληλύθασιν
G1831 V-2RAI-3P
exerchomai
to issue (literally or figuratively)
  • to go or come forth of
    • with mention of the place out of which one goes, or the point from which he departs
      • of those who leave a place of their own accord
        • "of those who are expelled or cast out
    metaphorically
    • to go out of an assembly, i.e., forsake it
      • "to come forth from physically, arise from, to be born of"to go forth from one's power, escape from it in safety"to come forth (from privacy) into the world, before the public, (of those who by novelty of opinion attract attention)"of things
      • of reports, rumours, messages, precepts
        • "to be made known, declared"to be spread, to be proclaimed"to come forth
        • emitted as from the heart or the mouth
          • "to flow forth from the body"to emanate, issue
          • used of a sudden flash of lightning
            • "used of a thing vanishing"used of a hope which has disappeared
εἰς
G1519 PREP
eis
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
  • into, unto, to, towards, for, among
τὸν
G3588 T-ASM
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
κόσμον
G2889 N-ASM
kosmos
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
  • an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
    • "ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e., the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens (see 1 Peter 3:3)"the world, the universe"the circle of the earth, the earth"the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race"the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ"world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
    • the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ

Ἀγαπητοί μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν ὅτι πολλοὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐξεληλύθασιν εἰς τὸν κόσμον
1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Cross References

1 Thessalonians 5:21

πάντα δοκιμάζετε τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε
21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

2 Peter 2:1

Ἐγένοντο δὲ καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐν τῷ λαῷ ὡς καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσονται ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι οἵτινες παρεισάξουσιν αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας καὶ τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτοὺς δεσπότην ἀρνούμενοι ἐπάγοντες ἑαυτοῖς ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν
1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

1 Timothy 4:1

Τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ῥητῶς λέγει ὅτι ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς ἀποστήσονταί τινες τῆς πίστεως προσέχοντες πνεύμασιν πλάνοις καὶ διδασκαλίαις δαιμονίων
1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Proverbs 14:15

פֶּתִי יַאֲמִין לְכָל-דָּבָר וְעָרוּם יָבִין לַאֲשֻׁרֽוֹ׃
15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

2 John 1:7

ὅτι πολλοὶ πλάνοι εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸν κόσμον οἱ μὴ ὁμολογοῦντες Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐρχόμενον ἐν σαρκί· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πλάνος καὶ ὁ ἀντίχριστος
7
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Matthew 24:4

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ·
4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Jeremiah 29:8

כִּי כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אַל-יַשִּׁיאוּ לָכֶם נְבִֽיאֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר-בְּקִרְבְּכֶם וְקֹֽסְמֵיכֶם וְאַֽל-תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל-חֲלֹמֹתֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם מַחְלְמִֽים׃
8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Matthew 7:15

Προσέχετε δέ ἀπὸ τῶν ψευδοπροφητῶν οἵτινες ἔρχονται πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ἐνδύμασιν προβάτων ἔσωθεν δὲ εἰσιν λύκοι ἅρπαγες
15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

1 Corinthians 14:29

προφῆται δὲ δύο ἢ τρεῖς λαλείτωσαν καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι διακρινέτωσαν·
29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

1 John 2:18

Παιδία ἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν καὶ καθὼς ἠκούσατε ὅτι ὁ ἀντίχριστος ἔρχεται καὶ νῦν ἀντίχριστοι πολλοὶ γεγόνασιν ὅθεν γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν
18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Luke 12:57

Τί δὲ καὶ ἀφ' ἑαυτῶν οὐ κρίνετε τὸ δίκαιον
57
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

Luke 21:8

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Βλέπετε μὴ πλανηθῆτε· πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου λέγοντες ὃτι Ἐγώ εἰμι καί Ὁ καιρὸς ἤγγικεν μὴ οὖν πορευθῆτε ὀπίσω αὐτῶν
8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

2 Timothy 3:13

πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι
13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Matthew 24:23

τότε ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ Ἰδού ὧδε ὁ Χριστός ἤ Ὧδε μὴ πιστεύσητε·
23
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Deuteronomy 13:1

כִּֽי-יָקוּם בְּקִרְבְּךָ נָבִיא אוֹ חֹלֵם חֲלוֹם וְנָתַן אֵלֶיךָ אוֹת אוֹ מוֹפֵֽת׃
1
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

Revelation 2:2

Οἶδα τὰ ἔργα σου καὶ τὸν κόπον σου καὶ τὴν ὑπομονήν σου καὶ ὅτι οὐ δύνῃ βαστάσαι κακούς καὶ ἐπειράσω τοὺς φάσκοντας εἶναι ἀποστόλους καὶ οὐκ εἰσίν καὶ εὗρες αὐτοὺς ψευδεῖς
2
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

1 Corinthians 12:10

ἄλλῳ δὲ ἐνεργήματα δυνάμεων ἄλλῳ δὲ προφητεία ἄλλῳ δὲ διακρίσεις πνευμάτων ἑτέρῳ δὲ γένη γλωσσῶν ἄλλῳ δὲ ἑρμηνεία γλωσσῶν·
10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Mark 13:21

καὶ τότε ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ Ἴδοὺ ὧδε ὁ Χριστός ἢ Ἰδού ἐκεῖ μὴ πιστεύσητε
21
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Romans 16:18

οἱ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ οὐ δουλεύουσιν ἀλλὰ τῇ ἑαυτῶν κοιλίᾳ καὶ διὰ τῆς χρηστολογίας καὶ εὐλογίας ἐξαπατῶσιν τὰς καρδίας τῶν ἀκάκων
18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Acts 20:29

ἐγὼ γὰρ οἶδα τοῦτο ὅτι εἰσελεύσονται μετὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου λύκοι βαρεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς μὴ φειδόμενοι τοῦ ποιμνίου
29
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Read 1 John 4
1 John 4:2