1 John 2:4

KJV

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that saith {G3004}, I know {G1097} him {G846}, and {G2532} keepeth {G5083} not {G3361} his {G846} commandments {G1785}, is {G2076} a liar {G5583}, and {G2532} the truth {G225} is {G2076} not {G3756} in {G1722} him {G5129}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Anyone who says, “I know him,” but isn’t obeying his commands is a liar — the truth is not in him.

Berean Standard Bible

If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

American Standard Version

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 2:4 delivers a stark and uncompromising declaration regarding the authenticity of one's spiritual profession. The Apostle John asserts that any individual who claims to "know" God but habitually fails to obey His commandments is, by definition, a liar, and the truth of God's character and revelation does not reside within them. This verse serves as a critical litmus test, emphasizing that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent or verbal declaration, but is intrinsically evidenced by a life of practical obedience to divine precepts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of John's first epistle where he is establishing the foundational tests of true fellowship with God. Following his opening statements about walking in the light and confessing sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light") and [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confessing Sins")), John introduces Jesus Christ as our Advocate ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate") and the propitiation for our sins. Immediately preceding [1 John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Test of Obedience"), John sets the stage by stating, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments" ([1 John 2:3](/1_john/2-3 "1 John 2:3 - Knowing God Through Obedience")). This establishes obedience as the primary evidence of a genuine relationship with God, making [verse 4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Liar's Claim") a direct, negative corollary that highlights the consequence of a disobedient profession. The passage continues to elaborate on the "new commandment" of love ([1 John 2:7-11](/1_john/2-7-11 "1 John 2:7-11 - The Old and New Commandment")), further solidifying that true knowledge of God is manifested in both obedience and love.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's epistle was written in a period when early Christian communities were grappling with various false teachings, particularly proto-Gnostic influences. These emerging heresies often promoted a dualistic worldview, separating the spiritual from the material, and sometimes suggesting that spiritual knowledge (gnosis) was superior to, or even independent of, moral conduct. Adherents might claim a special "knowledge" of God while simultaneously living lives devoid of ethical accountability. John's strong language directly confronts this intellectualized faith that lacked practical manifestation. The emphasis on "commandments" would have resonated with both Jewish converts, familiar with the Torah, and Gentile believers, who understood the moral expectations inherent in their new faith. The cultural context demanded clarity on what constituted authentic discipleship in contrast to mere philosophical or theological speculation.
* **Key Themes:** [First John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Liar's Claim") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the epistle. The most prominent is the **Authenticity of Faith**, underscoring that genuine spiritual life is not merely a verbal declaration or intellectual assent, but is demonstrably proven by one's actions. This leads directly to the theme of **Obedience as Evidence**, where keeping God's commandments serves as the undeniable proof of a true, intimate relationship with Him. Without this practical outworking, the claim to "know Him" is exposed as empty. Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **Truth vs. Deception**, with John's direct and uncompromising language ("liar," "the truth is not in him") emphasizing the critical importance of integrity between belief and behavior in the Christian walk. This aligns with the broader Johannine emphasis on light and darkness, truth and falsehood, throughout the epistle ([1 John 1:5-6](/1_john/1-5-6 "1 John 1:5-6 - God is Light")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb signifies a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge, rather than mere intellectual acquaintance (which would typically be _oida_). In the biblical context, "knowing God" implies an intimate, covenantal relationship, much like a husband "knows" his wife. It is a knowledge that transforms the individual and impacts their actions. Therefore, to claim _ginōskō_ of God implies a relationship that should naturally lead to conformity to His will.
* **commandments (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** This term refers to an authoritative prescription or injunction. In the New Testament, God's commandments are not merely arbitrary rules but expressions of His character and will, designed for the well-being and holiness of His people. While encompassing moral precepts found in the Old Testament, in John's writings, it often carries the specific nuance of Jesus' "new commandment" to love one another ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - The New Commandment")). Keeping these commandments is presented as the natural outflow of a Spirit-empowered relationship with God.
* **liar (Greek, _pseústēs'_):** Derived from the verb "to lie" or "to deceive," a _pseústēs_ is a falsifier, one who speaks what is untrue. John uses this term emphatically to expose the profound disconnect between a verbal claim ("I know him") and a lived reality (not keeping commandments). The severity of the term underscores that this is not merely a mistake or weakness, but a fundamental misrepresentation of one's spiritual state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that saith, I know him":** This clause describes a verbal profession, a declaration of an intimate relationship with God. The individual asserts a personal, experiential knowledge of the divine, implying a deep connection and understanding.
* **"and keepeth not his commandments":** This is the contrasting clause, revealing the disconnect between the profession and the practice. "Keepeth not" (using the Greek _tēréō_ with a negative particle) implies a consistent failure or disregard for God's authoritative instructions, rather than an occasional stumble. This highlights a pattern of disobedience that contradicts the claim of knowing God.
* **"is a liar":** This is John's direct and unambiguous judgment. The person's life contradicts their words, rendering their profession false. The term "liar" is not merely an insult but a theological statement about the lack of integrity in their spiritual claim.
* **"and the truth is not in him":** This final phrase elaborates on the nature of the lie. It means that the reality of God's truth, which is embodied in Christ and revealed through His commandments, does not genuinely reside within this person. Their life does not reflect the transformative power of truth, indicating an absence of genuine spiritual regeneration and fellowship with God.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several potent literary devices in [1 John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Liar's Claim") to convey his message with stark clarity. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, directly contrasting the verbal claim ("I know him") with the behavioral reality ("keepeth not his commandments"). This sharp opposition highlights the hypocrisy John is condemning. He then uses **Categorical Declaration** with the phrase "is a liar," leaving no room for ambiguity or nuance regarding the spiritual state of such an individual. This is further intensified by **Metonymy** in the concluding phrase "the truth is not in him," where "truth" stands for the very essence of God's reality, His character, and the transformative power of His Spirit. The absence of "truth" implies an absence of genuine spiritual life and connection to God, rather than merely a lack of intellectual understanding. The overall effect is one of uncompromising **Rhetorical Force**, designed to challenge superficial faith and emphasize the indispensable link between profession and practice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[First John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Test of Obedience") profoundly impacts our understanding of genuine faith, asserting that it is never merely an intellectual or verbal exercise but is always demonstrated through a life of obedience. This verse establishes a crucial theological principle: true knowledge of God is relational and transformative, leading to conformity to His will. It challenges any notion of cheap grace or a faith that does not demand ethical living. The "commandments" in view are not burdensome legalistic requirements, but the loving expressions of God's character, culminating in the command to love God and neighbor. Therefore, a failure to obey is a failure to truly know and love God, revealing a fundamental absence of His truth within the individual.

* [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")
* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[First John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Liar's Claim") serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination for every believer. It compels us to move beyond mere verbal declarations of faith and to honestly assess whether our lives genuinely reflect the truth we claim to possess. In a world where religious affiliation can sometimes be superficial, this verse reminds us that Christianity is not just about what we say we believe, but about how we live. True knowledge of God is not theoretical; it is a dynamic, intimate relationship that transforms our desires and actions, leading us to willingly submit to His will. Our obedience, though imperfect, becomes the tangible evidence of His truth residing within us, authenticating our profession of faith to a watching world and to our own hearts. It calls us to integrity, ensuring that our walk aligns with our talk, and that our love for God is expressed in our diligent pursuit of His ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "commandments" (broadly understood as God's will and moral precepts) do I find most challenging to keep, and why?**
* **In what areas of my life might there be a disconnect between what I profess to believe about God and how I actually live?**
* **How does my daily obedience (or lack thereof) impact my sense of truly "knowing" God?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more consistent obedience that flows from a genuine love for God?**

### FAQ
**What does "know him" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [1 John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Test of Knowing God"), "know him" (from the Greek _ginṓskō_) signifies a deep, personal, and experiential relationship with God, not merely intellectual awareness or head knowledge. It implies an intimate acquaintance that transforms one's character and actions. This kind of knowing is relational, much like knowing a close friend or family member, and it naturally leads to a desire to please and obey the one known.

**Does this verse mean that if I ever fail to keep a commandment, I am a liar and don't have the truth in me?**

Answer: No, the verse is not describing occasional failures or struggles with sin, which are addressed elsewhere in John's epistle (e.g., [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). The Greek present tense of "keepeth not" (G5083, _tēréō_, in the present participle) suggests a habitual, ongoing, or characteristic pattern of disobedience. John is confronting those whose *professed* knowledge of God is fundamentally contradicted by their *consistent* disregard for His commands, indicating that the truth of God's transformative power is genuinely absent in their lives. It's about the direction and disposition of one's life, not isolated acts of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[First John 2:4](/1_john/2-4 "1 John 2:4 - The Liar's Claim") finds its ultimate fulfillment and clarification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus perfectly embodied the "truth" and perfectly "kept" God's commandments, demonstrating what it truly means to "know" the Father. He declared, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love" ([John 15:10](/john/15-10 "John 15:10 - Abiding in Christ's Love")). Jesus is the Truth incarnate ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and His life of perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, is the ultimate demonstration of true knowledge of God. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for us to be reconciled to God, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, He empowers believers to genuinely obey God's commands. Therefore, to claim to know God without a corresponding life of obedience is to deny the very nature of Christ's perfect submission and the transformative power of His Spirit, essentially making a claim that is antithetical to the truth revealed in Him. Our ability to keep His commandments is not a prerequisite for salvation, but a fruit and evidence of a genuine relationship with the One who perfectly obeyed.

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 1:6

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

James 2:14

¶ What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?

1 John 1:8

¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 4:20

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1 John 2:9

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.