1 John 2:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### 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](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies"), John has warned his readers about "antichrists" who have "gone out from us" ([1 John 2:18-19](/1_john/2-18-19 "1 John 2:18-19 - Warning Against Antichrists")). 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](/1_john/2-20 "1 John 2:20 - The Anointing of the Holy One")). Therefore, [1 John 2:21](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies") 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](/1_john/2-22 "1 John 2:22 - The Liar and Antichrist"), 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](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies") 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](/1_john/2-20 "1 John 2:20 - The Anointing of the Holy One") and later in [1 John 4:1-6](/1_john/4-1-6 "1 John 4:1-6 - Testing the Spirits"). 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](/1_john/1-6 "1 John 1:6 - Walking in Darkness and Light")). 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](/1_john/2-22-23 "1 John 2:22-23 - Denying the Son and the Father")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb, used here in the perfect tense, signifies not merely intellectual acquaintance or factual information, but a deep, settled, and experiential understanding. It implies a state of having seen or perceived, leading to a comprehensive and abiding knowledge. In this context, it refers to a spiritual discernment granted by God, enabling believers to grasp the essential truths of the Gospel, particularly concerning the person of Jesus Christ.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** Derived from a word meaning "not hidden" or "unconcealed," _alḗtheia_ denotes reality, sincerity, and factual correctness. More profoundly, in biblical theology, it refers to divine revelation—God's unchanging character and His self-disclosure, especially in Jesus Christ. It is the antithesis of falsehood and deception, representing ultimate reality as defined by God.
* **lie (Greek, _pseûdos'_):** This noun signifies a falsehood, deception, or untruth. It refers to anything that is contrary to reality or divine truth. John uses it here to encapsulate the deceptive teachings of the "antichrists" who were distorting the nature of Christ and the Gospel message. The absolute statement "no lie is of the truth" underscores the inherent and irreconcilable opposition between divine truth and any form of deception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth":** John clarifies his motivation for writing. His letter is not an introductory lesson for the spiritually ignorant. He is not addressing a vacuum of knowledge or a group of new converts who are unfamiliar with fundamental Christian doctrine. This initial clause sets up a contrast, affirming the existing spiritual maturity and understanding of his audience.
* **"but because ye know it":** This is the direct antithesis and the actual reason for John's communication. He writes precisely *because* his readers already possess a profound and Spirit-given knowledge of the truth. This knowledge is not superficial but deep and abiding, enabling them to discern. John's writing, therefore, serves as an affirmation, a reinforcement, and a call to apply the truth they already possess to the current challenges of false teaching.
* **"and that no lie is of the truth":** This concluding clause is a crucial theological statement. It establishes an absolute, non-negotiable distinction between truth and falsehood. The preposition "of" (Greek: _ek_) denotes origin or source. Thus, a lie cannot originate from truth, nor can it be a part of truth. There is no common ground, no blending, and no compromise between divine truth and deception. This principle provides the bedrock for discerning and rejecting any teaching that deviates from the revealed truth of God in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several effective literary devices in [1 John 2:21](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies"). 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](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies") profoundly connects to the nature of God Himself, who is the source and embodiment of all truth. God cannot lie ([Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God Who Cannot Lie")), and His Word is truth ([John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctify Them by Your Truth")). 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.

* [John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Shall Set You Free")
* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an era saturated with information, misinformation, and competing narratives, [1 John 2:21](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies") 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
* **How does "knowing the truth" (as John describes it) differ from merely having intellectual knowledge about Christian doctrines?**
* **In what areas of your life or understanding are you tempted to blend truth with falsehood, or to seek a "middle ground" where none exists?**
* **How can you more actively cultivate the spiritual discernment that comes from abiding in the truth, especially when faced with conflicting information or teachings?**

### 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](/1_john/2-20 "1 John 2:20 - The Anointing of the Holy One") 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](/1_john/2-22 "1 John 2:22 - The Liar and Antichrist")). 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](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - Truth and Lies") 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](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), 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](/1_john/2-22-23 "1 John 2:22-23 - Denying the Son and the Father")). Furthermore, it is through Christ that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called "the Spirit of truth" ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")), 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](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")). In Christ, truth is not just known, but lived and experienced, providing the ultimate standard against which all lies are revealed as utterly alien.

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.

Cross-References

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,