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Commentary on 1 John 2 verses 20–27
Here, I. The apostle encourages the disciples (to whom he writes) in these dangerous times, in this hour of seducers; he encourages them in the assurance of their stability in this day of apostasy: But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. We see, 1. The blessing wherewith they were enriched - an unguent from heaven: You have an unction. True Christians are anointed ones, their name intimates as much. They are anointed with the oil of grace, with gifts and spiritual endowments, by the Spirit of grace. They are anointed into a similitude of their Lord's offices, as subordinate prophets, priests, and kings, unto God. The Holy Spirit is compared to oil, as well as to fire and water; and the communication of his salvific grace is our anointing. 2. From whom this blessing comes - from the Holy One, either from the Holy Ghost or from the Lord Christ, as Rev 3:7, These things saith he that is holy - the Holy One. The Lord Christ is glorious in his holiness. The Lord Christ disposes of the graces of the divine Spirit, and he anoints the disciples to make them like himself, and to secure them in his interest. 3. The effect of this unction - it is a spiritual eye-salve; it enlightens and strengthens the eyes of the understanding: "And thereby you know all things (Jo1 2:20), all these things concerning Christ and his religion; it was promised and given you for that end," Joh 14:26. The Lord Christ does not deal alike by all his professed disciples; some are more anointed than others. There is great danger lest those that are not thus anointed should be so far from being true to Christ that they should, on the contrary, turn antichrists, and prove adversaries to Christ's person, and kingdom, and glory.
II. The apostle indicates to them the mind and meaning with which he wrote to them. 1. By way of negation; not as suspecting their knowledge, or supposing their ignorance in the grand truths of the gospel: "I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, Jo1 2:21. I could not then be so well assured of your stability therein, nor congratulate you on your unction from above." It is good to surmise well concerning our Christian brethren; we ought to do so till evidence overthrows our surmise: a just confidence in religious persons may both encourage and contribute to their fidelity. 2. By way of assertion and acknowledgment, as relying upon their judgment in these things: But because you know it (you know the truth in Jesus), and that no lie is of the truth. Those who know the truth in any respect are thereby prepared to discern what is contrary thereto and inconsistent therewith. Rectum est index sui et obliqui - The line which shows itself to be straight shows also what line is crooked. Truth and falsehood do not well mix and suit together. Those that are well acquainted with Christian truth are thereby well fortified against antichristian error and delusion. No lie belongs to religion, either natural or revealed. The apostles most of all condemned lies, and showed the inconsistency of lies with their doctrine: they would have been the most self-condemned persons had they propagated the truth by lies. It is a commendation of the Christian religion that it so well accords with natural religion, which is the foundation of it, that it so well accords with the Jewish religion, which contained the elements or rudiments of it. No lie is of the truth; frauds and impostures then are very unfit means to support and propagate the truth. I suppose it had been better with the state of religion if they had never been used. The result of them appears in the infidelity of our age; the detection of ancient pious frauds and wiles has almost run our age into atheism and irreligion; but the greatest actors and sufferers for the Christian revelation would assure us that no lie is of the truth.
III. The apostle further impleads and arraigns these seducers who had newly arisen. 1. They are liars, egregious opposers of sacred truth: Who is a liar, or the liar, the notorious liar of the time and age in which we live, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? The great and pernicious lies that the father of lies, or of liars, spreads in the world, were of old, and usually are, falsehoods and errors relating to the person of Christ. There is no truth so sacred and fully attested but some or other will contradict or deny it. That Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God had been attested by heaven, and earth, and hell. It should seem that some, in the tremendous judgment of God, are given up to strong delusions. 2. They are direst enemies to God as well as to the Lord Christ: He is antichrist who denieth the Father and the Son, Jo1 2:22. He that opposes Christ denies the witness and testimony of the Father, and the seal that he hath given to his Son; for him hath God the Father sealed, Joh 6:27. And he that denies the witness and testimony of the Father, concerning Jesus Christ denies that God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently abandons the knowledge of God in Christ, and thereupon the whole revelation of God in Christ, and particularly of God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself; and therefore the apostle may well infer, Whosoever denies the Son the same has not the Father (Jo1 2:23); he has not the true knowledge of the Father, for the Son has most and best revealed him; he has no interest in the Father, in his favour, and grace, and salvation, for none cometh to the Father but by the Son. But, as some copies add, he that acknowledgeth the Son has the Father also, Jo1 2:23. As there is an intimate relation between the Father and the Son, so there is an inviolable union in the doctrine, knowledge, and interests of both; so that he who has the knowledge of, and right to, the Son, has the knowledge of, and right to, the Father also. Those that adhere to the Christian revelation hold the light and benefit of natural religion withal.
IV. Hereupon the apostle advises and persuades the disciples to continue in the old doctrine at first communicated to them: Let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning, Jo1 2:24. Truth is older than error. The truth concerning Christ, that was at first delivered to the saints, is not to be exchanged for novelties. So sure were the apostles of the truth of what they had delivered concerning Christ, and from him, that after all their toils and sufferings they were not willing to relinquish it. The Christian truth may plead antiquity, and be recommended thereby. This exhortation is enforced by these considerations: -
1.From the sacred advantage they will receive by adhering to the primitive truth and faith. (1.) They will continue thereby in holy union with God and Christ: If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son and in the Father, Jo1 2:24. It is the truth of Christ abiding in us that is the means of severing us from sin and uniting us to the Son of God, Joh 15:3, Joh 15:4. The Son is the medium or the Mediator by whom we are united to the Father. What value then should we put upon gospel truth! (2.) They will thereby secure the promise of eternal life: And this is the promise that he (even God the Father, Jo1 5:11) hath promised us, even eternal life, Jo1 2:25. Great is the promise that God makes to his faithful adherents. It is suitable to his own greatness, power, and goodness. It is eternal life, which none but God can give. The blessed God puts great value upon his Son, and the truth relating to him, when he is pleased to promise to those who continue in that truth (under the light, and power, and influence of it) eternal life. Then the exhortation aforesaid is enforced,
2.From the design of the apostle's writing to them. This letter is to fortify them against the deceivers of the age: "These things have I written to you concerning those that seduce you (Jo1 2:26), and therefore, if you continue not in what you have heard from the beginning, my writing and service will be in vain." We should beware lest the apostolical letters, yea, lest the whole scripture of God, should be to us insignificant and fruitless. I have written to him the great things of my law (and my gospel too), but they were counted as a strange thing, Hos 8:12.
3.From the instructive blessing they had received from heaven: But the anointing which you have received from him abideth in you, Jo1 2:27. True Christians have an inward confirmation of the divine truth they have imbibed: the Holy Spirit has imprinted it on their minds and hearts. It is meet that the Lord Jesus should have a constant witness in the hearts of his disciples. The unction, the pouring out of the gifts of grace upon sincere disciples, is a seal to the truth and doctrine of Christ, since none giveth that seal but God. Now he who establisheth us with you (and you with us) in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, Co2 1:21. This sacred chrism, or divine unction, is commended on these accounts: - (1.) It is durable and lasting; oil or unguent is not so soon dried up as water: it abideth in you, Jo1 2:27. Divine illumination, in order to confirmation, must be something continued or constant. Temptations, snares, and seductions, arise. The anointing must abide. (2.) It is better than human instruction: "And you need not that any man teach you, Jo1 2:27. Not that this anointing will teach you without the appointed ministry. It could, if God so pleased; but it will not, though it will teach you better than we can: And you need not that any man teach you, Jo1 2:27. You were instructed by us before you were anointed; but now our teaching is nothing in comparison to that. Who teacheth like him?" Job 36:22. The divine unction does not supersede ministerial teaching, but surmount it. (3.) It is a sure evidence of truth, and all that it teaches is infallible truth: But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, Jo1 2:27. The Holy Spirit must needs be the Spirit of truth, as he is called, Joh 14:17. The instruction and illumination that he affords must needs be in and of the truth. The Spirit of truth will not lie; and he teacheth all things, that is, all things in the present dispensation, all things necessary to our knowledge of God in Christ, and their glory in the gospel. And, (4.) It is of a conservative influence; it will preserve those in whom it abides against seducers and their seduction: "And even as it hath taught you you shall abide in him, Jo1 2:27. It teaches you to abide in Christ; and, as it teaches you, it secures you; it lays a restraint upon your minds and hearts, that you may not revolt from him. And he that hath anointed us is God, who also hath sealed us for himself, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." Co2 1:21, Co2 1:22.
That innocency asks with confidence, and obtains. In the Epistle of John: "If our heart blame us not, we have confidence towards God; and whatever we ask, we shall receive from Him." Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Blessed are they of a pure heart, for they shall see God." Also in the twenty-third Psalm: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? The innocent in hands and of a pure heart."
"I write unto you not because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth." Behold, we are admonished how we may know antichrist. What is Christ? Truth. Himself hath said "I am the Truth." But "no lie is of the truth." Consequently, all who lie are not yet of Christ. He hath not said that some lie is of the truth, and some lie not of the truth. Mark the sentence. Do not fondle yourselves, do not flatter yourselves, do not deceive yourselves, do not cheat yourselves: "No lie is of the truth."
Therefore it is not true that sometimes we ought to lie. What is not true we should never try to persuade anyone to believe.
You all know the truth because you received it in the rule of faith which you professed at your baptism.
And because every lie is not of the truth. This verse depends on the above, and the sense is: We have not written to you as if you do not know the truth, but as though you know it: and also knowing this, that every lie is not of the truth. Behold, therefore, we are warned how to recognize the Antichrist. Christ says: I am the truth (John 14). But every lie is not from the truth. Therefore, all who lie are not from Christ. He does not say, some lie is from the truth. No one should deceive themselves, let no one delude themselves: every lie is not from the truth.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, etc. For you know the truth of faith and life taught by the anointing of the Spirit, and you do not need to be taught, except that you should persist in what you have begun.
They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be revealed that they were not all of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
"They went out from us." However, John adds this, having laid down or started nothing for the explanation of the speech: I say, as if John had asked himself: And where do these “antichrists” (1 Jn. 2:18) come from? Then he would have added, They went out from us. Since it ought to have been done this way, he does not do this, but rather in a confused manner, perhaps showing through the confusion of speech the distress John had concerning them. But why are those who went out from the Lord's disciples called antichrists? So that they could be regarded as trustworthy by those who were being led astray, as if they were from the disciples, and they made their preaching in accordance with the teacher's and instructor's opinion: nor did they have a completely contrary preaching. Therefore, it is said of them, "They went out from us." For when they became disciples, they departed from the truth and found their own blasphemy. It must be understood, however, from where these antichrists came, so that the statement may be clearer.
"but they were not of us." That is, concerning the sort of those who are saved: for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But now it has happened to them that they became revealed, that is, it became known to all that they were completely alienated from us, and joined to those who were not of us. For there are among them some who were never of us, to whom they have joined themselves, who have went out from us. Because of these things, John said, “not all are of us.” For among us, who were domestic and familiar, others followed those who were external to us: choosing rather to live self-indulgently in the manner of the pagans than moderately and honorably with us.
Having said this, lest it seem to him that he alone attributes knowledge of these things and thereby becomes arrogant against the faithful, as if he alone knew them, he adds: "But you have an anointing." As if to say: But why do I tell you these things as if you were ignorant? There is no ignorance of these matters among you. For you have received the sacred anointing through holy baptism, and through this, the divine Spirit, who leads you into all truth. (Jn. 16:19)
Since this is the case, you know that I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it. What are these? The last hour, the coming of the Antichrist (1 Jn. 2:18), that all things are full of lies. Therefore, because lies abound, he says: I also say that many antichrists have come. For if Christ is the truth, whom you also know, you have the truth in yourselves, certainly since the liar is contrary to the truth or Christ, he is an antichrist.
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SUMMARY
The Apostle John reassures his Christian readers that his letter is not to introduce them to an unknown truth, but rather to affirm and reinforce the profound spiritual knowledge they already possess. This affirmation serves to underscore a foundational theological principle: truth and falsehood are inherently incompatible, meaning that anything contrary to divine truth cannot originate from or coexist with it. John's purpose is to strengthen their conviction in the truth they know, equipping them to discern and reject the lies promulgated by false teachers.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within a critical section of John's first epistle where he addresses the rising threat of Gnostic-like heresies and false teachers. Immediately preceding 1 John 2:21, John has warned his readers about "antichrists" who have "gone out from us" (1 John 2:18-19). He then provides a powerful counter-affirmation, stating that genuine believers "have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know" (1 John 2:20). Therefore, 1 John 2:21 directly builds upon this assurance of spiritual discernment, explaining why John is writing: not because they lack knowledge, but precisely because they possess it, and this knowledge inherently exposes all falsehoods. The subsequent verse, 1 John 2:22, immediately defines the "liar" as one who denies Jesus is the Christ, further emphasizing the specific nature of the lies John's audience faced.
Historical & Cultural Context: John's epistle was likely written in the late first century, a period when various proto-Gnostic ideologies were emerging within or alongside early Christian communities. These false teachings often denied the true humanity of Jesus (Docetism) or His unique divine Sonship, thereby undermining the core of the Gospel. Such heresies posed a significant threat to the nascent church, as they distorted the person and work of Christ. John's audience was grappling with these internal challenges, where deceivers claimed special knowledge or a superior understanding of God, often leading believers astray. The apostle writes to stabilize and ground his flock in the fundamental truths of the faith, providing criteria for discernment against these insidious errors. His emphasis on "knowing the truth" and the incompatibility of truth and lies was a direct pastoral response to a cultural and theological climate rife with deception.
Key Themes: 1 John 2:21 contributes significantly to several key themes in John's epistle. Firstly, it highlights the Affirmation of Believers' Knowledge and Spiritual Discernment. John consistently assures his readers of their spiritual standing and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who grants them the ability to discern truth from error, as seen in 1 John 2:20 and later in 1 John 4:1-6. Secondly, the verse profoundly declares the Absolute Nature of Truth and the Incompatibility of Truth and Falsehood. John posits truth as a singular, divine reality, fundamentally opposed to lies. This principle is crucial for understanding the ethical and theological demands of the Christian life, where walking in truth is paramount (1 John 1:6). Finally, it serves as a Call to Stand Firm Against Deception, directly equipping believers to identify and reject the false teachings that deny the Son and the Father, which John identifies as the mark of the "antichrist" (1 John 2:22-23).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
John employs several effective literary devices in 1 John 2:21. The most prominent is Antithesis, directly contrasting "know not the truth" with "but because ye know it," and then "no lie" with "of the truth." This stark opposition highlights the absolute incompatibility of truth and falsehood, reinforcing John's central argument. He also utilizes Affirmation, beginning with a positive assertion of his readers' spiritual state ("ye know it"), which serves to build their confidence and validate their discernment before issuing a strong theological principle. The overall tone is Didactic, as John is teaching and instructing his audience, not merely informing them. His concise and declarative statements convey authority and clarity, guiding believers in a time of theological confusion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 John 2:21 profoundly connects to the nature of God Himself, who is the source and embodiment of all truth. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and His Word is truth (John 17:17). This verse underscores the absolute purity and unadulterated nature of divine revelation, asserting that any deviation or falsehood is inherently alien to God's character and His message. It also highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who grants believers the spiritual capacity to "know" this truth, making them discerning participants in God's reality rather than passive recipients of information. The absolute distinction between truth and lie established here serves as a critical theological filter for all doctrine and practice.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an era saturated with information, misinformation, and competing narratives, 1 John 2:21 serves as a timeless anchor for believers. It reminds us that our faith is not built on shifting sands of opinion or subjective experience, but on the unchangeable, divinely revealed truth. As followers of Christ, we are not left to grope in the dark; the Holy Spirit indwells us, guiding us into all truth and enabling us to discern. This verse calls us to actively engage our spiritual senses, to test all things against the plumb line of God's Word, and to reject any teaching or worldview that fundamentally contradicts the clear revelation of Scripture. It empowers us to stand firm, knowing that truth, by its very nature, exposes and repels all forms of falsehood, leaving no room for compromise or syncretism with error. Our responsibility is to abide in this truth and allow it to shape our understanding, our actions, and our witness in the world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does John mean when he says his readers "know the truth"?
Answer: When John states, "ye know the truth," he is referring to a deep, spiritual, and experiential knowledge of God's revealed truth, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is not merely intellectual assent to facts, but an understanding imparted by the Holy Spirit, as he mentions in 1 John 2:20 about having an "anointing from the Holy One." This anointing grants genuine believers an innate spiritual discernment that allows them to recognize and affirm the core tenets of the Gospel, especially in contrast to the false teachings of the "antichrists" who denied Jesus' true identity (1 John 2:22). John is affirming their spiritual maturity and equipping them to use this knowledge as a defense against deception.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 John 2:21 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, for He is the very embodiment and source of all truth. Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), making it clear that truth is not merely a concept but a person. The "truth" that John's readers "know" is fundamentally the truth about Jesus—His divine Sonship, His incarnation, His atoning death, and His resurrection. Any "lie" that is "not of the truth" is, by extension, any teaching that denies or distorts the person and work of Christ, as the "antichrists" were doing (1 John 2:22-23). Furthermore, it is through Christ that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called "the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13), is given to believers, enabling them to "know" and discern this truth. Thus, our ability to recognize and reject falsehood stems directly from our union with Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father and exposes the deceptions of the enemy (John 8:44). In Christ, truth is not just known, but lived and experienced, providing the ultimate standard against which all lies are revealed as utterly alien.