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1 John 2:23

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 John 2:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.
1 John 2:23 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 John 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all the things.
21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
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.
23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.
24As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.
25And this is the promise which he promised us, [even] the life eternal.
26These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whosoever denieth the Son, &c.] Jesus Christ to be the true, proper, natural, essential, and eternal Son of God: the same hath not the Father; or does not hold the Father; or “believe the Father”, as the Syriac version renders it; for there cannot be a father without a son; and he that honours not the Son, by owning him as such, honours not the Father; whatever reflects dishonour on the Son, reflects dishonour on the Father. If Christ is not truly and properly the Son of God, the Father is not truly and properly the Father of Christ; if Christ is only a Son in a figurative and metaphorical sense, the Father is only a Father in a figurative and metaphorical sense; if Christ is a Son only by…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Greek, "Every one who denieth the Son, hath not the Father either" (Jo1 4:2-3): "inasmuch as God hath given Himself to us wholly to be enjoyed in Christ" [CALVIN]. he--that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. These words ought not to be in italics, as though they were not in the original: for the oldest Greek manuscripts have them. hath--namely, in his abiding possession as his "portion"; by living personal "fellowship." acknowledgeth--by open confession of Christ.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father - That is, has no just views of the Father, and has no evidence of his friendship. It is only by the Son of God that the Father is made known to people, Matthew 11:27; Hebrews 1:2-3, and it is only through him that we can become reconciled to God, and obtain evidence of His favor. See the notes at John 5:23. But he that acknowledges the Son, hath the Father also - This passage, in the common version of the New Testament, is printed in italics, as if it were not in the original, but was supplied by the translators. It is true that it is not found in all the manuscripts and versions; but it is found in a large number of manuscripts, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whosoever denieth the eternal Son of God, he hath not communion with the Father; but he that truly and believingly acknowledgeth the Son, hath communion with the Father also. 1 John 2:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“denieth: Jo1 2:22, Jo1 4:15; Mat 11:27; Luk 10:22; Joh 5:23, Joh 8:19, Joh 10:30, Joh 14:9, Joh 14:10, Joh 15:23, Joh 15:24; Jo2 1:9-11 1 John 2:24”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification