Devine Scripture

1 John 2:21

What does 1 John 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:21 means

John is not correcting ignorance but fortifying knowledge. He writes because they already know the truth, and because truth excludes falsehood—“no lie is of the truth.” This sharp distinction gives confidence. The gospel they received is reliable and coherent; anything contradicting it is not a harmless variant but a lie. John appeals to their Spirit-enlightened recognition of what is from God. He wants them to lean on what they know, not be unsettled by clever distortions. The clarity of God’s truth serves as a plumb line for testing teachings and teachers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I have not sent you this letter because you have no knowledge of what is true, but because you have knowledge, and because that which is false has nothing in common with that which is true.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I did not write to you because ye have not known the truth, but because ye have known it, and because no lie is of the truth.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I have not written to you as to them that know not the truth, but as to them that know it: and that no lie is of the truth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I have not written to you because ye do not know the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Context

Having affirmed the believers’ anointing and knowledge (verse 20), John explains his purpose (verse 21): to reinforce the truth they possess and the incompatibility of truth and lies. He will immediately (verse 22) name the central lie—denying that Jesus is the Christ—and show its consequence in relation to the Father (verse 23). Then he will call them to hold fast to the original message (verse 24).

v.20And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

v.21This passage

v.22Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jude 1:5

    Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

  • Proverbs 1:5

    That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:

  • Proverbs 9:8

    Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

  • Romans 15:14

    And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

  • 2 Peter 1:12

    Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with you.

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