1 John 2:23

KJV

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.]

KJV (with Strong's)

Whosoever {G3956} denieth {G720} the Son {G5207}, the same hath {G2192} not {G3761} the Father {G3962}:(but) he that acknowledgeth {G3670} the Son {G5207} hath {G2192} the Father {G3962} also {G2532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everyone who denies the Son is also without the Father, but the person who acknowledges the Son has the Father as well.

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

American Standard Version

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 John 2:23 succinctly declares a foundational truth of Christian theology: the inseparable relationship between God the Father and God the Son. It asserts that to deny the divine person and work of Jesus Christ is to simultaneously sever one's connection to God the Father, while conversely, a genuine acknowledgment of the Son is the pathway to possessing a true relationship with the Father. This verse serves as a critical theological gatekeeper, emphasizing the absolute necessity of Christ for salvation and fellowship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the latter half of [1 John chapter 2](/1_john/2 "1 John 2 - Abiding in Christ and Warning Against Antichrists"), where John is addressing the emergence of false teachers, whom he identifies as "antichrists" ([1 John 2:18-22](/1_john/2-18-22 "1 John 2:18-22 - Warning Against Antichrists")). These individuals, having "gone out from us" ([1 John 2:19](/1_john/2-19 "1 John 2:19 - They Went Out From Us")), were denying the full humanity and deity of Jesus, specifically that He is the Christ. Verse 23 functions as a direct theological consequence and warning against such denials, reinforcing John's earlier assertion that "no lie is of the truth" ([1 John 2:21](/1_john/2-21 "1 John 2:21 - No Lie is of the Truth")). The immediate verses following [1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") continue this theme, urging believers to "let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning" ([1 John 2:24](/1_john/2-24 "1 John 2:24 - Abide in What You Have Heard")), emphasizing steadfastness in the original apostolic teaching concerning Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's first epistle was likely written towards the end of the first century, a period when the early church was grappling with nascent forms of Gnosticism and Docetism. These heresies challenged the orthodox understanding of Jesus Christ. Gnosticism, broadly speaking, emphasized a special, secret knowledge (gnosis) for salvation and often viewed matter as inherently evil, leading to a denial of Jesus' true humanity. Docetism, a specific form of Gnosticism, taught that Jesus only *seemed* to have a human body and was not truly flesh and blood. Such doctrines directly undermined the incarnation and the atoning work of Christ. John's strong statements, including [1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") and later passages like [1 John 4:2-3](/1_john/4-2-3 "1 John 4:2-3 - Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Error"), were crucial in combating these errors and establishing the essential truth of Jesus' full deity and humanity for the nascent Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in [1 John](/1_john/1 "The First Epistle of John"). Firstly, it underscores the **inseparable unity of the Father and the Son**, a core Trinitarian truth that permeates John's writings, both in his Gospel (e.g., [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and My Father are One") and [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")) and his epistles. Secondly, it highlights the **essentiality of Jesus Christ** as the sole mediator and revealer of God; there is no access to the Father apart from the Son. This echoes Jesus' own declaration in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Finally, the verse serves as a stark **warning against false doctrine and deception**, particularly concerning the person of Christ, stressing that such theological error has eternal implications for one's relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **denieth (Greek, _arnéomai'_):** This verb (G720) signifies a strong and deliberate rejection, repudiation, or disowning. It implies a conscious decision to contradict or refuse to acknowledge a truth. In this context, it's not merely a lack of knowledge but an active, willful refusal to accept Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Christ.
* **hath (Greek, _échō'_):** This primary verb (G2192) is broad in its applications, meaning "to hold," "to possess," or "to have." Here, it denotes a spiritual possession or relationship. To "have the Father" means to be in a genuine, saving relationship with God, characterized by fellowship, adoption, and eternal life. Conversely, "hath not" indicates a complete absence of such a relationship.
* **acknowledgeth (Greek, _homologéō'_):** This verb (G3670) means "to assent," "to covenant," or "to acknowledge." It implies an open, public, and unwavering confession of faith. It's more than intellectual agreement; it's a declaration of allegiance and alignment with the truth concerning the Son, signifying a deep, personal commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father:"** This clause presents a stark, categorical statement. John asserts that anyone who repudiates or disowns the Son—meaning Jesus Christ in His full divine and human identity, particularly as the promised Messiah—cannot simultaneously claim to have a relationship with God the Father. This is because the Son is the sole revelation of the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")), and to reject the Son is to reject the Father's self-revelation and His plan of redemption. The relationship with the Father is contingent upon acceptance of the Son.
* **"[(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.]"** This parenthetical clause, while not present in some of the earliest manuscripts, accurately reflects John's consistent theology and provides a positive antithesis to the preceding negative statement. It affirms that those who openly confess and truly acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, embracing His person and work, are indeed those who genuinely possess a saving relationship with God the Father. This acknowledges the reciprocal and unified nature of the Godhead, where knowing one leads to knowing the other.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in [1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") is **Antithesis**. The verse is structured as a direct contrast between two opposing actions (denying vs. acknowledging the Son) and their respective consequences (not having vs. having the Father). This stark opposition highlights the absolute nature of the truth John is conveying. While the second part of the verse (the parenthetical clause) may have been a later scribal addition, it perfectly completes the antithetical structure, emphasizing the positive truth that balances the negative warning. Furthermore, there is an element of **Exclusivity** in the statement, implying that there is no alternative path to the Father outside of the Son. The use of "whosoever" (G3956, _pâs'_) also lends itself to a sense of **Universality**, indicating that this truth applies to all people without exception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the unique role of Jesus Christ in salvation. It powerfully asserts the co-equality and co-inherence of the Father and the Son, demonstrating that they are so intimately united that one cannot be known or possessed without the other. This verse refutes any notion that one can have a generic relationship with "God" while rejecting the specific revelation of God in Jesus Christ. It underscores that the Son is not merely a prophet or a good teacher, but the very essence of God made manifest, the only means by which humanity can truly apprehend and relate to the Father. To deny the Son is to deny the Father's very nature and His redemptive initiative, making genuine fellowship impossible.

* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")
* [John 5:23](/john/5-23 "John 5:23 - Honor the Son as You Honor the Father")
* [2 John 1:9](/2_john/1-9 "2 John 1:9 - Abiding in the Doctrine of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This profound declaration in [1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") calls believers to a deep and unwavering commitment to the full truth of who Jesus Christ is. In a world increasingly prone to spiritual eclecticism and a desire for "God" without the specifics of Christ, this verse stands as a crucial reminder that the Son is not optional but absolutely essential for a genuine relationship with the Father. It challenges us to examine the foundation of our faith: Is it truly built upon the biblical revelation of Jesus as the incarnate Son of God, the Christ, who died for our sins and rose again? Our acknowledgment of Him must extend beyond mere intellectual assent to a living, transformative confession that shapes our entire lives. It compels us to stand firm against any teaching, philosophy, or cultural trend that diminishes or denies the unique person and work of Jesus, for to compromise on the Son is to lose the Father.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to subtly "deny" the Son in my daily life or beliefs, perhaps by prioritizing other things over Him or diluting His unique claims?**
* **How does my public and private "acknowledgment" of the Son demonstrate that I truly "have the Father"?**
* **Considering the importance of sound doctrine regarding Christ, how can I better equip myself to discern and stand against false teachings in today's world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my understanding and confession of Jesus as the Son of God, and how can this strengthen my relationship with the Father?**

### FAQ

**Why is it so critical to acknowledge the Son to have the Father?**

Answer: It is critical because Jesus Christ is the sole and complete revelation of God the Father. As stated in [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God"), "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." The Father has chosen to reveal Himself fully and exclusively through the Son. To deny the Son is to reject the Father's chosen means of self-disclosure and redemption. Therefore, one cannot claim to know or have fellowship with a God whose ultimate self-revelation in Jesus Christ they refuse to accept. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

**What does "denieth the Son" specifically refer to in this context?**

Answer: In the context of [1 John](/1_john/1 "The First Epistle of John"), "denieth the Son" refers specifically to denying Jesus' true identity as the Christ (the Messiah) and the Son of God. This includes denying His full humanity (that He came in the flesh, as addressed in [1 John 4:2-3](/1_john/4-2-3 "1 John 4:2-3 - Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Error")) and His full deity. The false teachers John was combating were likely promoting doctrines that separated the divine Christ from the human Jesus, or denied the necessity of His atoning work. To "deny" implies a conscious, deliberate rejection or repudiation of this fundamental truth about Jesus' person and saving work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the very nature of the Triune God and the salvific work of Jesus. This verse powerfully articulates the Trinitarian reality that the Father and the Son are inextricably linked; to know one is to know the other, and to reject one is to reject the other. Jesus Himself consistently taught this unity, proclaiming, "I and my Father are one" ([John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and My Father are One")) and assuring His disciples, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). The Son is the perfect image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - The Image of the Invisible God")), the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). Therefore, acknowledging the Son is not merely a theological nicety but the very act of embracing God's self-revelation and His redemptive plan centered in Christ. It is through the Son's atoning sacrifice that humanity is reconciled to the Father ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation")), and it is by confessing Him as Lord that we are saved and brought into fellowship with God ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief for Salvation")). Thus, [1 John 2:23](/1_john/2-23 "1 John 2:23 - Denying the Son, Denying the Father") underscores that Christ is the exclusive and indispensable mediator, the very bridge by which humanity can access and "have" the Father.

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

1 John 4:15

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

John 8:19

Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 15:23

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

John 15:24

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

2 John 1:9

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.