New International Version Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. New Living Translation If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. English Standard Version Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and 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. Berean Literal Bible The one saying, “I have known Him,” and not keeping His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. King James Bible He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. New King James Version He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. New American Standard Bible The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; NASB 1995 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; NASB 1977 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; Legacy Standard Bible The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; Amplified Bible Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. Berean Annotated Bible If anyone says, “I know Him, but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Christian Standard Bible The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Holman Christian Standard Bible The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn’t keep His commands, 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; Contemporary English Version But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts. English Revised Version He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him: GOD'S WORD® Translation The person who says, "I know him," but doesn't obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn't in that person. Good News Translation If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. International Standard Version The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth has no place in that person. NET Bible The one who says "I have come to know God" and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. New Heart English Bible One who says, "I know him," and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Webster's Bible Translation He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Weymouth New Testament He who professes to know Him, and yet does not obey His commands, is a liar, and the truth has no place in his heart. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. World English Bible One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionhe who is saying, “I have known Him,” and is not keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; Berean Literal Bible The one saying, “I have known Him,” and not keeping His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Young's Literal Translation 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; Smith's Literal Translation He saying, I have known him, and not keeping his commands, is a liar, and in him is not the truth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe who saith that he knoweth him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. New American Bible Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. New Revised Standard Version Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For he who says, “I know him”, and does not keep his commandments, is lying and the truth is not in him. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentHe that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Godbey New Testament The one saying, I have known him, and keeping not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; Haweis New Testament He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and in him the truth is not. Mace New Testament he that says, he knows him, and does not keep his commandments, is a lyar, and an enemy to the truth: Weymouth New Testament He who professes to know Him, and yet does not obey His commands, is a liar, and the truth has no place in his heart. Worrell New Testament He who says, "I have known Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; Worsley New Testament He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Jesus Our Advocate…3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. 4If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:… Cross References If anyone says, “I know Him,” Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. but does not keep His commandments, John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 15:14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 1 John 3:24 Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. he is a liar, 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 1 John 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. and the truth is not in him. 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. John 14:21 Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? … James 1:22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. Treasury of Scripture He that said, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. that saith. 1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 1 John 1:6,8,10 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: … 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? I know. Hosea 8:2,3 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee… 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. is a. 1 John 1:6,8 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: … Jump to Previous Command Commandments Commands Disobeys Heart Keepeth Keeping Liar Obey Professes True. TruthJump to Next Command Commandments Commands Disobeys Heart Keepeth Keeping Liar Obey Professes True. Truth1 John 2 1. He comforts them against the sins of infirmity.3. Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments; 9. to love our brothers; 15. and not to love the world. 18. We must beware of antichrists; 20. from whose deceits the godly are safe, preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life. If anyone says, “I know Him,” To know God is to belong to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, not merely to profess religious belief or possess knowledge about Him. “Knowing” reflects the Hebrew yada, meaning to know deeply and personally. Such a claim carries the expectation of a life shaped by God’s revealed will. Tit 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions… but does not keep His commandments, Obedience does not earn salvation, but it reveals whether a profession of faith is genuine. God’s commandments express His character and call His people to love Him and live righteously toward others. Some in the early church claimed spiritual knowledge while rejecting moral accountability. Jhn 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. he is a liar, A profession that is contradicted by persistent disobedience is false. John’s direct language exposes those who claimed fellowship with God while refusing the authority of His commands. 1Jn 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother,… and the truth is not in him. God’s truth, made known in Christ, produces obedience in those who receive it. Where there is no desire to follow God’s commands, there is no evidence of a genuine knowledge of Him. 1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves… Persons / Places / Events 1. John the ApostleThe author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth. 2. The Early Church The audience of John's letter, consisting of early Christians who were facing false teachings and needed guidance on living out their faith. 3. False Teachers Individuals in the early church who claimed to know God but did not adhere to His commandments, leading others astray. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceTrue knowledge of God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. Claiming to know God without obedience is self-deception. The Nature of Truth Truth is not just intellectual assent but is lived out in action. The truth of God transforms our lives and aligns us with His will. Identifying Falsehood Be wary of those who claim spiritual knowledge but live contrary to God's commandments. Their actions reveal the absence of truth. Self-Examination Regularly assess your own life to ensure that your actions align with your professed beliefs. True faith is evidenced by obedience. Community Accountability Engage with fellow believers to encourage and hold each other accountable in living out God's commandments. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 John 2:4?2. How does 1 John 2:4 define the relationship between knowing God and obedience? 3. What does claiming to know God without obeying His commands reveal about us? 4. How can we ensure our actions align with God's commands in daily life? 5. Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of obedience in knowing God? 6. How can we help others understand the connection between love for God and obedience? 7. How does 1 John 2:4 challenge the authenticity of one's professed faith in God? 8. What does 1 John 2:4 imply about the relationship between obedience and knowing God? 9. How does 1 John 2:4 address the issue of hypocrisy among believers? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 John 2? Verse 4. - The participial substantive ὁ λέγων now takes the place of ἐάν with the subjunctive, but the two are equivalent (cf. 1 John 1:6, which is almost exactly parallel to this, and shows what "knowing him" really is, viz. having fellowship with him, just as not keeping his commandments is the same as walking in darkness). St. John says, μὴ τηρῶν, not, οὐ τηρῶν, the case being hypothetical - if there be such a man, he is a liar, and has no idea of truth (see on 1 John 1:8). He must have lost the very power of recognizing truth to maintain that he knows Christ, when he habitually transgresses his commands. It is no great thing, as Bode says, to know as the devils do, who "believe and tremble." 1 John 2:4 draws a clear line: knowing God and obeying God are inseparable. Words alone cannot substitute for a transformed, obedient life. Genuine believers will increasingly reflect Christ’s commands, proving that truth not only informs them but indwells them. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek If anyoneὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. says, λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “I know Ἔγνωκα (Egnōka) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. Him,” αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. does not keep τηρῶν (tērōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. commandments, ἐντολὰς (entolas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription. he is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a liar, ψεύστης (pseustēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5583: A liar, deceiver. From pseudomai; a falsifier. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. truth ἀλήθεια (alētheia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 225: From alethes; truth. is ἔστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. him. τούτῳ (toutō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. Additonal Resources 1 John 2:4 Blue Letter Bible1 John 2:4 Bible Gateway 1 John 2:4 Bible.com 1 John 2:4 NIV |
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