We are of God] Those false teachers, v. 1, 3, 5. are not sent of God to preach his truth, as we are, John 3:31. he that knoweth God, heareth us] Assenteth to our doctrine, and not to those false teachers, John 10:3; John 10:5. hereby know we, &c.] By teaching the same doctrine which, the other apostles taught. For Gods Spirit varieth not from himself: and he hath given the word for a perpetuall rule to try the spirits by, Isaiah 8:20. the Spirit of truth] True teachers, who have received the truth by inspiration of Gods Spirit. See on v. 1.