Devine Scripture

1 John 2:26

What does 1 John 2:26 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:26 means

John makes his pastoral purpose explicit: he writes concerning those who would lead them astray. The threat is real. False teachers entice with new ideas, spiritual pride, or loosened morals, but their end is deception. By exposing the lie and rehearsing the truth, John seeks to safeguard the flock. His warnings are not suspicion of everyone, but a sober alertness about particular voices that deviate from the message heard from the beginning. Love for the church compels him to name the danger and to point believers back to the sure foundation in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I am writing these things to you about those whose purpose is that you may be turned out of the true way.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

These things I did write to you concerning those leading you astray;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

These things have I written to you concerning those who lead you astray:

Context

This verse explains why John presses these points: to protect his readers from deceivers, especially those denying Jesus as the Christ. He has urged abiding in the original message (verse 24) and promised eternal life (verse 25). Now, verse 27 will remind them of the anointing they received, which remains in them and teaches truth, reinforcing their ability to resist falsehood and to continue abiding in Christ.

v.25And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal.

v.26This passage

v.27And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.

Cross references

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

  • Colossians 2:18

    Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

  • Colossians 2:8

    Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

  • 2 Corinthians 11:13

    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.

  • Proverbs 12:26

    The righteous is a guide to his neighbor; But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

  • 1 John 3:7

    My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous:

  • Mark 13:22

    for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.

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