1 John, Chapter 4, verses 1-6
1 He warneth them not to believe all teachers, who boast of the Spirit, but to try them by the rules of the catholic faith4
4:1 Believe not every spirit - Whereby any teacher is actuated. But try the spirits - By the rule which follows.We are to try all spirits by the written word: "To the law and to the testimony!" If any man speak not according to these, the spirit which actuates him is not of God.
4:2 Every spirit - Or teacher. Which confesseth - Both with heart and voice. Jesus Christ, who is come in the flesh, is of God - This his coming presupposes, contains, and draws after it, the whole doctrine of Christ.
4:3 Ye have heard - From our Lord and us, that it cometh.
4:4 Ye have overcome these seducers, because greater is the Spirit of Christ that is in you than the spirit of antichrist that is in the world.
4:5 They - Those false prophets. Are of the world - Of the number of those that know not God. Therefore speak they of the world - From the same principle, wisdom, spirit; and, of consequence, the world heareth them - With approbation.
4:6 We - Apostles. Are of God - Immediately taught, and sent by him. Hereby we know - From what is said, Jo1 4:2-6.
Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 12-17, 23-25
11 The angels minister unto him, 13 He dwelleth in Capernaum, 17 beginneth to preach, 18 calleth Peter and Andrew, 21 James and John, 23 and healeth all the diseased4
4:12 He retired into Galilee - This journey was not immediately after his temptation. He first went from Judea into Galilee, Joh 1:43; Joh 2:1. Then into Judea again, and celebrated thepassover at Jerusalem, Joh 2:13. He baptized in Judea while John was baptizing at Enon, Joh 3:22-23. All this time John was at liberty, Joh 3:24. But the Pharisees being offended, Joh 4:1; and John put in prison, he then took this journey into Galilee. Mar 1:14.
4:13 Leaving Nazareth - Namely, when they had wholly rejected his word, and even attempted to kill him, Luk 4:29.
4:15 Galilee of the Gentiles - That part of Galilee which lay beyond Jordan was so called, because it was in a great measure inhabited by Gentiles, that is, heathens. Isa 9:1-2.
4:16 Here is a beautiful gradation, first, they walked, then they sat in darkness, and lastly, in the region of the shadow of death.
4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach - He had preached before, both to Jews and Samaritans, Joh 4:41, Joh 4:45. But from this time begin his solemn stated preaching. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand - Although it is the peculiar business of Christ to establish the kingdom of heaven in the hearts of men, yet it is observable, he begins his preaching in the same words with John the Baptist: because the repentance which John taught still was, and ever will be, the necessary preparation for that inward kingdom. But that phrase is not only used with regard to individuals in whom it is to be established, but also with regard to the Christian Church, the whole body of believers. In the former sense it is opposed to repentance; in the latter the Mosaic dispensation.
3
3:23 And this is his commandment - All his commandments in one word. That we should believe and love - in the manner and degree which he hath taught. This is the greatest and most important command that ever issued from the throne of glory.If this be neglected, no other can be kept: if this be observed, all others are easy.
3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments - That thus believes and loves. Abideth in him, and God in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us - Which witnesses with our spirits that we are his children, and brings forth his fruits of peace, love, holiness. This is the transition to the treating of the Holy Spirit which immediately follows.