King James Version

What Does 1 John 2:21 Mean?

1 John 2:21 in the King James Version says “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”

1 John 2:21 · KJV

Truth

Context

19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21

I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Read 1 John 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. John clarifies his motivation for writing. "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth" (ouk egrapsa hymin hoti ouk oidate tēn alētheian)—John doesn't write as if addressing ignorant people needing basic instruction. He assumes his readers possess fundamental knowledge of gospel truth through the Spirit's anointing (verse 20). This isn't condescension but affirmation of their spiritual state.

"But because ye know it" (all' hoti oidate autēn)—John writes precisely because they do know the truth. His letter reinforces and confirms what they already know, helping them recognize error by reminding them of truth. This is pastoral ministry: not constant novelty but faithful reiteration of apostolic gospel, strengthening believers' grasp of essential truth they already possess through the Spirit's teaching.

"And that no lie is of the truth" (kai hoti pan pseudos ek tēs alētheias ouk estin)—this categorical statement establishes truth's exclusive nature. "No lie" (pan pseudos, every lie) and "the truth" are mutually exclusive categories with different origins. Truth comes from God; lies from the father of lies (John 8:44). Believers who know the truth through the Spirit can recognize lies by their incompatibility with revealed truth. The antichrists' denials of Christ (verse 22) are lies, demonstrably incompatible with the truth believers already know.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul similarly affirmed believers' knowledge while continuing to teach them (Romans 15:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:9). This wasn't flattery but recognition that the Spirit teaches all believers essential truths. Yet even Spirit-taught believers benefit from apostolic teaching reinforcing and clarifying truth. The Bereans, though commended for examining Paul's teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11), still needed Paul's instruction.

In John's context, false teachers implied ordinary believers lacked true knowledge, needing the Gnostics' superior revelation. John counters: believers already know truth through the Spirit; the Gnostic teaching is the lie, contradicting truth believers possess. This empowered ordinary Christians to reject sophisticated-sounding error based on the Spirit's internal witness to truth.

The Reformation principle of testimonium Spiritus Sancti internum (internal testimony of the Holy Spirit) developed from passages like this. The Spirit witnesses to Scripture's truth in believers' hearts, providing conviction that goes beyond rational argumentation. Calvin taught that while external evidences support Scripture's authority, the Spirit's internal witness provides ultimate certainty. Believers know truth not merely intellectually but spiritually, through the Spirit's anointing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing you already possess essential truth through the Spirit affect your response to new teachings claiming secret knowledge?
  2. What role does faithful repetition and reinforcement of known truth play in your spiritual growth and resistance to error?
  3. How can you develop greater confidence in discerning lies by their incompatibility with truth you know through the Spirit?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
οὐκ1 of 21

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔγραψα2 of 21

“I have”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ὑμῖν3 of 21

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι4 of 21

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ5 of 21

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἴδατε6 of 21

“ye know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὴν7 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείας8 of 21

“the truth”

G225

truth

ἀλλ'9 of 21

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ὅτι10 of 21

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οἴδατε11 of 21

“ye know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτήν,12 of 21

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ13 of 21

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅτι14 of 21

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

πᾶν15 of 21

“no”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ψεῦδος16 of 21

“lie”

G5579

a falsehood

ἐκ17 of 21

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς18 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείας19 of 21

“the truth”

G225

truth

οὐκ20 of 21

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν21 of 21

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 2:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 2:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Peter 1:12Jude 1:5Proverbs 1:5Proverbs 9:8-9Romans 15:14-15

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 John 2 with CommentaryAll 1 John ChaptersComplete 1 John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes