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Who is "them" in 1 John 4:4 that the children have overcome?



      

1 John 4:4

ESV - 4 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.

Clarify Share Report Asked July 29 2019 Mini Anonymous

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
In my opinion, those to whom John is referring by the word "them" in 1 John 4:4 are the false prophets that he previously mentioned in 1 John 4:1, as well as the spirit of antichrist mentioned in 1 John 4:3, which was motivating and empowering those false prophets, and which could be recognized by a refusal to confess Jesus as having been God incarnate (1 John 4:2).

July 29 2019 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church
The "them" refers to "the agents of the antichrist," "the false prophets," "the false teachers," "these spirits," "those prophets," "these people," " the antichrists/false teachers", "this spirit," "these false preachers." "those people," and "these spirits", which other translations have. 

E.g.: "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."

1 John 4:4 NLT

March 18 2020 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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