2:20 2:20

1 John 2:21

2:22 2:22

Bible Versions

I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
I have {G1125} not {G3756} written {G1125} unto you {G5213} because {G3754} ye know {G1492} not {G3756} the truth {G225}, but {G235} because {G3754} ye know {G1492} it {G846}, and {G2532} that {G3754} no {G3956}{G3756} lie {G5579} is {G2076} of {G1537} the truth {G225}.
It is not because you don’t know the truth that I have written to you, but because you do know it, and because no lie has its origin in the truth.
I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

1 John 2:21 is a foundational statement from the Apostle John, affirming the spiritual knowledge of his readers while simultaneously highlighting the absolute incompatibility of truth and falsehood. John reassures his audience that his writing is not to introduce them to an unknown concept, but to reinforce and remind them of the truth they already possess, a truth that inherently exposes all lies.

Context

This verse sits within a crucial section of John's first epistle where he addresses the growing threat of false teachers, whom he refers to as "antichrists" (1 John 2:18). These deceivers had emerged from within the Christian community, denying the unique person of Christ and His relationship with the Father. John's letter serves to strengthen genuine believers against such apostasy. He has just affirmed that true believers have an "unction from the Holy One" and "know all things" (1 John 2:20), implying an innate spiritual discernment granted by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, John is writing to confirm their spiritual understanding and equip them to stand firm.

Key Themes

  • Affirmation of Believers' Knowledge: John begins by validating his readers' spiritual state. They are not ignorant; they "know the truth." This knowledge is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, Spirit-led understanding of God's revelation, particularly concerning Jesus Christ.
  • The Nature of Truth: The verse profoundly declares that "no lie is of the truth." This establishes an absolute distinction. Truth (Greek: alētheia) is pure, consistent, and from God, while lies (Greek: pseudos) are inherently contrary to it. There is no common ground, no compromise, and no blending between divine truth and deception. This principle becomes a critical test for discerning false teaching.
  • Call to Discernment: By reminding them of what they already know, John implicitly calls them to exercise their spiritual discernment. Their existing knowledge of the truth is their defense against the encroaching lies of the antichrists who deny the Father and the Son.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "truth" is alētheia, which signifies not just factual correctness but reality, sincerity, and divine revelation. It stands in direct opposition to pseudos, meaning a lie, falsehood, or deception. John's stark contrast emphasizes the inherent incompatibility: what is true cannot contain falsehood, and what is false cannot originate from truth.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 John 2:21 remains highly relevant. In an age saturated with information and misinformation, this verse reminds us that:

  • We Have a Foundation: As followers of Christ, we have been given the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Our task is to continually abide in this truth, not to seek new revelations that contradict it.
  • Discernment is Crucial: We must actively apply the truth we know to evaluate teachings, philosophies, and cultural narratives. If something contradicts the clear teachings of Scripture, it cannot be "of the truth."
  • No Compromise with Error: The verse warns against the temptation to blend truth with error. There is no "middle ground" when it comes to fundamental biblical truths. Understanding this absolute distinction empowers us to stand firm against deception and to uphold the integrity of the Gospel.

John's words serve as both an encouragement and a sober warning, affirming the believer's access to truth and their responsibility to reject all forms of falsehood.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Peter 1:12

    ¶ Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.

  • Jude 1:5

    I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

  • Proverbs 1:5

    A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

  • Proverbs 9:8

    Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

  • Proverbs 9:9

    Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.

  • Romans 15:14

    ¶ And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

  • Romans 15:15

    Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
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