Devine Scripture

1 John 2:4

What does 1 John 2:4 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:4 means

Mere words, “I know him,” without a life shaped by God’s commands, reveal a lie. John does not say imperfect obedience disqualifies; rather, a settled refusal to keep His commandments exposes that the truth is not in that person. True knowledge of God inevitably bears fruit in practical submission. The gospel produces new desires and a new direction. Where God’s truth dwells, it creates hunger to please Him. This verse warns against self-deception and religious talk that lacks substance, calling each reader to examine whether profession is matched by obedient practice springing from a heart changed by grace.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The man who says, I have knowledge of him, and does not keep his laws, is false, and there is nothing true in him:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

he who is saying, `I have known him,' and his command is not keeping, a liar he is, and in him the truth is not;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He who saith that he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar: and the truth is not in him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He that says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Context

In the obedience test (verses 3–6), verse 4 delivers the negative contrast to verse 3’s assurance: claims without obedience are false. John’s pastoral purpose is both to comfort and to confront, so he names hypocrisy plainly. Verse 5 will then pivot to the positive, showing how keeping God’s word matures love and yields assurance, and verse 6 will lift up Jesus’ walk as the pattern for those who claim to abide in Him.

v.3And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

v.4This passage

v.5but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:

Cross references

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

  • 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, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.

  • James 2:14

    What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?

  • Titus 1:16

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

  • 1 John 1:8

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

  • Hosea 8:2

    They shall cry unto me, My God, we Israel know thee.

  • 1 John 1:10

    If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

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