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1 John 2:4

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 John 2:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
1 John 2:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 John 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
3And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:
6he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
7Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
← 1 John 2:31 John 2:5 →
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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
“He that saith I know him, &c.] God or Christ, as the Gnostics did, who pretended to great, even perfect, knowledge of divine things: and keepeth not his commandments; which the above persons had no regard to, and as many who profess great light and knowledge in our days show no concern for: is a liar; he contradicts what he says, and gives the lie to it; for though in words he professes to know God, in works he denies him, and which betrays his ignorance of him: and the truth is not in him; there is no true knowledge of God and Christ in him; nor is the truth of the Gospel in his heart, however it may be in his head; nor is the truth of grace in him, for each of these lead persons to…”
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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
“I know--Greek, "I have knowledge of (perfect) Him." Compare with this verse Jo1 1:8.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that saith, I know Him - He who professes to be acquainted with the Saviour, or who professes to be a Christian. And keepeth not his commandments - What he has appointed to be observed by his people; that is, he who does not obey him. Is a liar - Makes a false profession; professes to have that which he really has not. Such a profession is a falsehood, because there can be no true religion where one does not obey the law of God. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that saith: Jo1 2:9, Jo1 1:6, Jo1 1:8, Jo1 1:10, Jo1 4:20; Jam 2:14-16 I know: Hos 8:2, Hos 8:3; Tit 1:16 is a: Jo1 1:6, Jo1 1:8 1 John 2:5”
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Related study paths

Read 1 John 2 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification