1 John 2:26

KJV

These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

KJV (with Strong's)

These {G5023} things have I written {G1125} unto you {G5213} concerning {G4012} them that seduce {G4105} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I have written you these things about the people who are trying to deceive you.

Berean Standard Bible

I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

American Standard Version

These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle John writes to his beloved readers in 1 John 2:26, delivering a crucial warning and a pastoral reassurance. He clarifies that the preceding instructions and theological assertions, particularly concerning the identity of Christ and the danger of false teachers, are specifically aimed at protecting them from those who actively seek to lead them astray from the truth of the gospel. This verse underscores John's deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the community and highlights the ever-present threat of spiritual deception within the church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section in 1 John (specifically [1 John 2:18-27](/1_john/2-18-27 "1 John 2:18-27 - Warning Against Antichrists and the Anointing")) where John directly addresses the emergence of "antichrists" and false teachers within the Christian community. In [1 John 2:18-25](/1_john/2-18-25 "1 John 2:18-25 - The Antichrist and Abiding in the Son"), John defines these deceivers as those who deny the true nature of Jesus Christ—both His divine sonship and His historical incarnation. Verse 26 serves as a summary statement, emphasizing the purpose of his preceding counsel: to inoculate his readers against these specific individuals who propagate error. It also sets the stage for the following verse, [1 John 2:27](/1_john/2-27 "1 John 2:27 - The Abiding Anointing"), which reassures believers of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence as their ultimate teacher and safeguard against deception.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church, including the communities John addressed, faced significant internal and external pressures. Internally, nascent forms of Gnosticism posed a major threat. These movements often posited a dualistic worldview, denying the full humanity of Christ (Docetism) or His full divinity, or separating the "Christ-spirit" from the human Jesus. Such teachings directly undermined the core apostolic message of salvation through the incarnate Son of God. These "seducers" were likely members who had once been part of the community but had departed (cf. [1 John 2:19](/1_john/2-19 "1 John 2:19 - They Went Out From Us")), actively propagating their erroneous doctrines. John's letter provided a vital theological and pastoral bulwark against these errors, equipping believers to stand firm in the truth amidst a challenging spiritual landscape.

* **Key Themes:** The verse strongly contributes to several key themes in 1 John. The most prominent is the **Warning Against Deception**, as John explicitly states his purpose is to protect his readers from those who would "seduce" them. This highlights the constant need for vigilance and discernment within the Christian faith. Closely related is the **Importance of Truth and Sound Doctrine**, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ; John's "these things" refers to the foundational truths he has just articulated about Christ's identity. The epistle also emphasizes **Discernment through the Anointing**, a theme immediately preceding and following this verse (see [1 John 2:20](/1_john/2-20 "1 John 2:20 - The Anointing from the Holy One") and [1 John 2:27](/1_john/2-27 "1 John 2:27 - The Abiding Anointing")). This divine enablement by the Holy Spirit is presented as the primary means by which believers can recognize and resist error. Finally, John's tone throughout this section, including in this verse, reveals his deep **Pastoral Concern** for his spiritual children, providing them with necessary instruction and reassurance to stand firm in their faith and "abide in Him" ([1 John 2:24](/1_john/2-24 "1 John 2:24 - Abiding in the Son")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This primary verb means "to grave," "to write," or "to describe." In this context, it signifies John's deliberate act of committing these crucial truths and warnings to paper. It underscores the authoritative and intentional nature of his communication, not merely as an informal note but as a foundational instruction for the church. The act of writing implies a permanence and a directness, ensuring his message would be preserved and understood by his audience.
* **concerning (Greek, _perí'_):** Derived from a root meaning "through (all over)" or "around," _perí_ here functions as a preposition indicating the subject or occasion. It specifies the direct focus of John's writing: "with respect to" or "on behalf of" those who are actively misleading. This precision highlights that John's prior discourse was not general theological musings but targeted instruction against a specific, dangerous threat to the community's faith.
* **seduce (Greek, _planáō'_):** From _plánē_ (a wandering, error), this verb means "to cause to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)," "to lead astray," "to deceive," or "to err." It implies a deliberate act of misleading that results in someone straying from the correct path or truth. This is not merely an intellectual disagreement but a spiritual danger that can lead to separation from Christ and His truth, emphasizing the gravity of the false teachers' actions and the urgency of John's warning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [things] have I written unto you":** John refers back to the preceding verses, especially [1 John 2:18-25](/1_john/2-18-25 "1 John 2:18-25 - The Antichrist and Abiding in the Son"), where he has identified the "antichrist" and those who deny the Father and the Son. The phrase "unto you" highlights the personal and pastoral nature of his address, indicating that his message is directly for the believers to whom he is writing, intended for their protection and edification.
* **"concerning them that seduce you":** This clause explicitly states the purpose of John's preceding discourse. The "them that seduce you" are the false teachers, the "antichrists" or "many antichrists" mentioned earlier, who seek to lead believers astray from the truth about Jesus Christ. John's writing is a direct counter-measure, providing his readers with the necessary discernment and theological grounding to resist these deceptive influences.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as he explicitly states, "I have written unto you," creating an intimate and personal tone that reinforces his pastoral authority and concern for his readers. There is also a strong element of **Warning**, as the phrase "concerning them that seduce you" clearly identifies a present danger and the protective intent of his message. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Summary Statement**, drawing together the preceding arguments about the antichrist and false teaching, providing a clear purpose for the discussion. The use of "these things" (Greek _taûta_) also serves as a **Referential Pointer**, directing the reader back to the specific content John has just presented, reinforcing the importance of his prior theological instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 John 2:26 stands as a timeless reminder of the church's perpetual need for vigilance against spiritual deception. Theologically, it underscores the absolute necessity of holding fast to the revealed truth of God, particularly concerning the person of Jesus Christ, as the ultimate safeguard against error. The "seducers" represent any teaching or influence that deviates from the apostolic witness to Christ's full deity and humanity, which is foundational to salvation. John's emphasis on the written word ("I have written") highlights the importance of authoritative revelation as the standard for truth, while his pastoral concern points to the church's ongoing responsibility to shepherd its members away from harmful doctrines and towards sound teaching. This verse implicitly connects to the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where truth battles against falsehood for the allegiance of human hearts.

* [Matthew 24:4-5](/matthew/24-4-5 "Matthew 24:4-5 - Jesus Warns of Deception")
* [Acts 17:11](/acts/17-11 "Acts 17:11 - The Bereans Examine the Scriptures")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers and Their Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John's warning in 1 John 2:26 remains profoundly relevant for believers in every generation. The threat of spiritual deception is constant, manifesting in various forms that seek to distort the truth about Christ, the gospel, or the nature of salvation. To guard against those who would "seduce" us, we must cultivate a deep and discerning relationship with God's truth. This involves diligently immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, allowing the Spirit to illuminate our understanding and shape our worldview according to God's revealed will. It also requires a critical approach to all teaching, testing every message against the unchanging standard of God's Word and the historical, orthodox understanding of Christian doctrine. Our ultimate safeguard lies in abiding deeply in Christ, for it is in Him that all truth resides, and by His Spirit, we are equipped to discern between truth and error, remaining steadfast in our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "seducers" or deceptive teachings are prevalent in the church or culture today that might lead believers astray from the truth of Christ?**
* **How does my personal commitment to knowing and understanding the Bible equip me to discern truth from error?**
* **In what ways do I rely on the Holy Spirit's "anointing" (as mentioned in the surrounding verses) to guide my discernment and protect me from false teaching?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure I am "abiding in Him" ([1 John 2:24](/1_john/2-24 "1 John 2:24 - Abiding in Him")) as a safeguard against deception?**

### FAQ
**Who are "them that seduce you" that John is warning about?**

Answer: John is primarily warning about false teachers who had emerged from within the Christian community itself. These individuals were likely proponents of an early form of Gnosticism, which denied the full humanity or divinity of Jesus Christ, or both. They propagated doctrines that contradicted the apostolic teaching about Jesus as the incarnate Son of God, who came in the flesh to take away sins. John refers to them as "antichrists" ([1 John 2:18](/1_john/2-18 "1 John 2:18 - The Antichrist")) and emphasizes that they "went out from us, but they were not of us" ([1 John 2:19](/1_john/2-19 "1 John 2:19 - They Went Out From Us")), indicating their departure from true faith and their active role in misleading others.

**How does John expect believers to resist this seduction, especially if they are not scholars?**

Answer: John's primary answer, especially in the verses immediately following [1 John 2:26](/1_john/2-26 "1 John 2:26 - Warning Against Seducers"), is the "anointing" that believers have received from the Holy One ([1 John 2:20](/1_john/2-20 "1 John 2:20 - The Anointing from the Holy One") and [1 John 2:27](/1_john/2-27 "1 John 2:27 - The Abiding Anointing")). This refers to the indwelling Holy Spirit, who teaches believers all things and guides them into truth. While knowing the Scriptures is vital (and the Spirit uses the Word), John emphasizes that the Spirit's presence provides an internal discernment that enables even ordinary believers to recognize and reject false teaching. The expectation is not primarily intellectual prowess but spiritual sensitivity and an abiding relationship with Christ, nurtured by the Spirit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 John 2:26, while a warning against deception, finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. He is the very **Truth** personified, the one whom all false teaching distorts or denies. The "seducers" seek to lead believers away from Christ, but Christ Himself is the ultimate safeguard. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and knows His own, protecting them from the "stranger's voice" ([John 10:1-18](/john/10-1-18 "John 10:1-18 - The Good Shepherd")). John's emphasis on "these things" being written "concerning them that seduce you" points directly to the foundational truth of Christ's identity – His full deity and humanity – which is the core of the gospel and the antidote to all error. Believers are protected from seduction not merely by intellectual understanding, but by "abiding in Him" ([1 John 2:24](/1_john/2-24 "1 John 2:24 - Abiding in Him")), for He is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). The "anointing" that enables discernment, mentioned in the surrounding verses, is the Holy Spirit, who is sent by Christ to guide His followers into all truth, ensuring that they are not "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine" ([Ephesians 4:14](/ephesians/4-14 "Ephesians 4:14 - No Longer Children")). Thus, Christ is not only the subject of the truth that is attacked but also the living source of the power and discernment that enables believers to stand firm against all forms of spiritual deception.

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 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2 John 1:7

¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1 John 3:7

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

Acts 20:29

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Acts 20:30

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Mark 13:22

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.