In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits (1 John 4:1), gives a note to try by (1 John 4:2, 3), shows who are of the world and who of God (1 John 4:4-6), urges Christian love by divers considerations (1 John 4:7-16), describes our love to God, and the effect of it, 1 John 4:17-21.