1 John 2:19
What does 1 John 2:19 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 2:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 2:19 means
Those who departed from the church revealed their true status: they were never truly “of us.” If they had been, they would have continued in fellowship and apostolic doctrine. Their going out “made manifest” that they all are not of us. Perseverance does not create genuine faith; it displays it. Apostasy unmasks what always was. John does not gloat; he interprets the painful reality pastorally, so that the faithful are not shaken. The break with the church, especially over the truth about Jesus, shows that these teachers were aligned with the spirit of antichrist.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They went out from us but they were not of us; if they had been of us they would still be with us: but they went out from us so that it might be made clear that they were not of us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862out of us they went forth, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but--that they might be manifested that they are not all of us.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They went out from us but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us: but that they may be manifest, that they are not all of us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have surely remained with us, but that they might be made manifest that none are of us.
Context
Following the declaration of the last hour and many antichrists (verse 18), verse 19 explains how their separation from the apostolic community discloses their lack of true belonging. John will now comfort believers in verses 20–21 by pointing to the anointing they have received and their knowledge of the truth. Then, in verses 22–23, he will name the central doctrinal denial that defines the antichrist spirit: refusing Jesus as the Christ and thus severing oneself from the Father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 4:16
And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;
- John 6:37
All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
- 2 Timothy 2:19
Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
- Jude 1:1
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
- Psalms 41:9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.
- John 10:28
and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
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